Galt Museum goes electric with new van

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on July 14, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

“I got chills, they’re multiplying
and I’m losing control,
‘Cause the power you’re supplying
It’s electrifying!”
Yeah, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John weren’t thinking about a van when they sang that in “Grease” but a new electric vehicle purchased for the Galt Museum could perhaps carry a crew from Rydell High.
During the pandemic, the Galt Museum had an opportunity to work with its partners at Canadian Heritage and look at new priorities for the organization, said CEO and executive director Darrin Martens on Thursday.
“One of the things the team identified was that we needed to have a van, something that would allow us to do our work a little more efficiently and also get out in the community a lot more. So we pursued a number of different options and the most economical for us, as well as forward thinking, was to go for an electric van which is much more environmentally sustainable and provides us an opportunity to show real leadership in combatting climate change,” said Martens.
The Ford e-Transit van will be used by a number of different departments within the organization, he said. That includes Fort Whoop-Up which will use it for programming needs. The Galt will use it for community programming, collections retrievals and returns and also for general running around.
“The team often has to pick up supplies at different times and by utilizing this van we’re really reducing our carbon footprint,” added Martens.
One reason the Galt went with an EV was because during the pandemic and seeing the supply chain issues, the costs of vehicles increased and “this van we were able to purchase for just under $70,000 and that was fully financed through a grant that we obtained from the Government of Canada through the Museums Assistance Program.
“What we have realized is that by the team utilizing the van opposed to their own personal vehicles, we have reduced probably by several thousands of dollars a year in paying for mileage and wear and tear on the vehicles.”
The purchase of the van had no cost to the City.
“There were no capital costs that were expended through the City of Lethbridge; we’re very proud of that and the fact that it shows we’re interested in working with all levels of government and partnering for a better climate and for a better future,” said Martens.
In a press release, mayor Blaine Hyggen said “on behalf of Lethbridge city council, I am thrilled to see this new EV for the Galt Museum & Archives and Fort Whoop-Up. As we continue to work towards sustainable future energy use, this is another great initiative in supporting the transition to low-emission vehicles in Lethbridge.”
This isn’t the only electric vehicle in the City’s fleet.
Through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre – a partnership of Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities and the provincial government, the City has acquired other EVs.
Those include an electric SUV and utility task vehicle for Waste and Environment and the City will be acquiring its first electric ice resurfacer in the fall.
Driving electric is expected to reduce maintenance costs and the time vehicles are out of operation because there is no need for oil changes and brakes last longer. Regenerative braking will allow for more efficient driving because EVS generate energy when they slow.
EVs also don’t produce tailpipe emissions, creating a healthier environment.

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