Detroit Zoo goes green with solar hybrid golf carts

The Detroit Zoo is upgrading its fleet of golf carts, getting rid of the traditional gas powered vehicles and replacing them with solar-elecric hybrids.The golf carts, 40 in all, are used by staff for everything from maintenance to landscaping to park safety at the 125-acre Zoo just west of downtown Royal Oak. Making the switch is expected to save 450 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year.The solar-electric hybrid golf carts use a regenerative braking system that recycles power in the cart each time someone hits the brakes, and are equipped with solar panels for battery charging.Source: Detroit ZooWriter: Jon Zemke