When you think of environmental innovation, a street sweeper might not immediately come to mind—but Irvine, California, is flipping that script.
Enter Evie, the city’s first all-electric street sweeper and an unexpected champion in Irvine’s push for cleaner air and greener spaces.
A New Era in Street Cleaning
Evie is no ordinary street sweeper. This 2024 Dulevo D-Zero Plus model is Irvine’s first foray into electrified municipal maintenance, and it’s already making waves—or should we say sweeping them up?
While most of the city’s fleet still relies on gas-powered engines, Evie’s electric motor brings a breath of fresh air—literally. Its zero-emission operation is expected to save Irvine an impressive 18 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing 4.2 gas-powered vehicles from the road.
At first glance, Evie might look like just another utility vehicle, but her impact goes far beyond the surface. Her compact design, combined with advanced cab-forward controls, allows her to navigate tight spaces and tricky turns, making her ideal for Irvine’s trails, bikeways, and parking lots.
The Power of Collaboration
Evie’s introduction comes at a pivotal moment. Earlier this month, the city unveiled its first Class IV Protected Bikeway on Cadence, connecting Radial and Chinon.
This innovative bike lane design offers physical barriers for cyclists, creating safer and more accessible routes. But bike lanes are only as good as their maintenance, and Evie is stepping in to keep these paths pristine.
This partnership between green infrastructure and green technology is a cornerstone of Irvine’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which lays out ambitious goals for reducing emissions and fostering sustainability.
Big Impact, Small Footprint
Don’t let Evie’s small size fool you—this electric dynamo is built for efficiency. With a maximum sweeping width of 10.5 feet and the capacity to haul nearly 530 gallons of waste, she’s ready to tackle up to 42,000 square meters of surface area on a single charge. That’s over 10 acres of cleaner, greener spaces every day.
The D-Zero Plus sweeper is also equipped with top-tier filtration technology, earning a EUnited 4 Stars rating for its ability to capture PM10 and PM2.5 particles. These microscopic pollutants are notorious for affecting air quality, but Evie is ready to clear the way—quietly, efficiently, and without the diesel fumes.
Leading the Charge
Evie represents more than just a technological upgrade; she’s a symbol of progress. While Irvine’s streets get cleaner, its residents breathe easier, and its bikeways become more welcoming to eco-conscious commuters.
As cities across the U.S. grapple with the challenges of urban pollution and climate change, innovations like Evie show that even the humblest vehicles can play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future.
Charge Complete
With Evie on the scene, Irvine’s vision for a cleaner, greener city takes another meaningful step forward. From cutting carbon emissions to improving air quality and maintaining new cycling infrastructure, this electric sweeper isn’t just keeping the streets tidy—it’s paving the way for a brighter future, one sweep at a time.
