Committee recommends purchase of two electric slope mowers to reduce risk and emissions

The Toll Highway Authority technology and operations committee on April 17 recommended placing a facilities and fleet procurement on the full board agenda to buy two remote-controlled electric slope mowers.

Dave (chief of facilities and fleet) told the committee the recommended award is to Green Climber of North America Inc., doing business as Raymo USA, for contract 230204R in an amount not to exceed $190,957.41. The purchase includes two fully electric remote-controlled slope mowers, trailers, fast-charging kits, spare tires and multiple attachments, and a two-year OEM warranty covering parts and labor, the chief said.

"These are something actually, we're excited about trying. We're ordering them," Dave said. He said the authority currently operates eight remote-controlled diesel slope mowers and that the electric machines could reduce emissions and worker risk on steep slopes and allow maintenance crews to trim vegetation under low-profile cable guardrail in some areas. The transcript records an estimate of about 45 miles of cable guardrail where the low-profile machines could be used.

Committee action: the committee moved, seconded, and voted to place the facilities and fleet operations item on the April board meeting agenda with the committee's recommendation.

What was not decided: the committee recommended placement on the board agenda; final award and any further pilot evaluation will be determined by the board. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally; committee approval was recorded by general assent (ayes).

Next steps: the item will be considered by the board at its April meeting; staff indicated the purchase is intended as an evaluation to inform potential future replacement of diesel slope mowers.