An eighth grade student submitted the winning name for Salem’s first all-electric compact street sweeper.
ZEUS, which stands for Zero Emission Utility Sweeper, will begin clearing leaves and debris from narrow paths, sidewalks, alleys and other tight spaces in December.
More than 650 names were suggested, including Chew-Vac-Uh, ZEUS, Sweepy Wonder, Whiskers and Sweep Force One. Eighth-grader Zaidee Salazar submitted the winning name, which received a majority of the more than 1,300 votes cast in voting for the top five finalists.
City officials announced the winner of the naming contest for new street sweepers.
City officials said the name reflects Salem’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly street maintenance.
In the coming weeks, the new street sweeper will be equipped with customized logos and graphics.
City officials said the eSwingo 200+ EV sweeper is 100% electric, with 0% carbon dioxide emissions, can run for 10 hours before charging and has low noise emissions.
The city received $337,443 to purchase a new battery-powered electric compact street sweeper through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program through the PGE Drive Change Fund, which has awarded millions of dollars to new electric vehicles and chargers throughout the stands.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow @wmwoodworth
This article originally appeared in Salem Statesman Journal: Salem names new all-electric compact street sweeper ZEUS
