WHITE PLAINS, NY - The New York Power Authority (NYPA), the nation's largest state public power organization, was added to the LEAD customer program for the Ford Transit Connect Electric van. As a LEAD customer, the Power Authority will receive one of the exclusive supply of Transit Connect Electrics in late 2010 and make possible the purchase of at least nine additional vans in 2011 by some of its governmental customers in Westchester County and New York City, according to a release from Azure Dynamics.

The LEAD customer program makes the exclusive supply of 2010 Ford Transit Connect.

The New York Power Authority's (NYPA) Westchester County and New York City governmental electricity customers attended a "ride-and-drive" workshop on Oct. 5, which showcased an electric commercial van, hybrid-electric shuttle bus, and other electric-drive vehicles. NYPA is helping to usher into use these and other electric-drive vehicles in government fleets for meeting New York State goals for clean transportation, according to the NYPA.

NYPA President and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Kessel said the Authority has helped put over 1,200 EVs on the road since 1995 that has driven more than 11 million miles.

Under its Electric Transportation Program, NYPA leverages its funds in helping to arrange for other government grants in support of the acquisition by public entities of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. These include vans, buses, trucks, passenger cars, and work vehicles.

The City of White Plains, which has purchased 24 electric-drive vehicles over the years with NYPA's assistance, will be adding to them with Electric Transit Connect vans and hybrid-electric shuttle buses.

The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson and Village of Tarrytown each recently purchased an Azure Balance hybrid-electric shuttle bus, which uses a Ford chassis. The Power Authority provided $27,000 in co-funding for each of the buses. 

Over the last year, NYPA has assisted others to purchase hybrid-electric shuttle buses, including the College of Staten Island, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp., and UPROSE, a nonprofit community organization in Brooklyn. Other parties that participate in the Power Authority's Electric Transportation Program include community-owned electric systems around the state.

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