Green Machines 500ze, the All Electric Street Sweeper

With the automotive world scrambling to usher the era of the electric vehicle, it was only a matter of time until other companies from related fields would pick up the fever. It's the case of outdoor city cleaning equipment manufacturer Tennant, which announced today the introduction of the Green Machines 500ze all-electric vacuum street sweeper.

"The 500ze is, quite simply, a breath of clean air. With this highly innovative solution we are redefining the future of cleaning in our cities, and are once again demonstrating our commitment to being the global leader in chemical-free cleaning,” Karel Huijser, VP International, Tennant said in a statement.

The vehicle uses lithium-ion battery packs which give it a top speed of 25 km/h and an operating range of 8-hours. According to the manufacturer, the annual carbon output of a standard 2 cubic meters sweeper is 50 tons, compared with 500ze's zero.

In addition to its eco-friendly mode of operation, the 500ze is also taking an eco-approach when it comes to the purpose it was built for. Tennant says the sweeper uses 70 percent less water than its competitors.

"With the introduction of the 500ze, the company is harnessing its more than 40 years' experience of delivering technologically advanced sweepers to major cities all over the world. With its innovative features and technology, the 500ze delivers unmatched cleaning results while addressing the growing requirement for environmentally sensitive solutions," the manufacturer says.

The vehicle is currently undergoing testing in Europe. It will enter service with cities in Australia, Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK.