Salem residents have a unique opportunity to leave their mark on city infrastructure—an all-electric street sweeper needs a name and the public gets to decide. Among the contenders are names like "Z.E.U.S. (Zero Emissions Utility Sweeper)" and the amusing "Chew-Vac-Uh," all vying to officially christen the eco-friendly vehicle. The City of Salem's website reveals that voting for the favorite moniker is open through Friday, with the winner to be unveiled shortly thereafter next Monday.
The eSwingo 200+ EV Sweeper is not just a quiet operator but also a green machine, designed to work efficiently in the cramped quarters of urban trails and back alleys. It's the newest push in Salem’s mission to radically minimize its environmental footprint—a goal benefiting from the sustainable design that allows this electric workhorse to run for up to 10 hours before it needs to recharge again.
According to the City of Salem, the sweeper purchase was made possible through eco-conscious funding, including a DEQ’s Oregon Clean Fuels Program grant and PGE's Drive Change Fund, totaling $337,443. These efforts are part of a larger strategy outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan to transition all municipal vehicles to electric power, in line with environmental and sustainability goals that the region has embraced.
