In response to The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games’ (ACOG) need for an effective means of transportation in the Olympic Village, Georgia Power Co. announced today that it will donate 70 all-electric trams and will support other electric transportation needs during the 1996 Olympic Games.

The 36-passenger electric trams will be used to move athletes, support staff and equipment through various routes within the Village. The system will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the Games. The ease of entering and exiting, a narrow turning radius, speeds of up to 18 miles-per-hour and no tailpipe emissions make the trams perfect for meeting transportation demands, while contributing to a clean environment for the guests of the Olympic Village.

“Because of the magnitude of the Olympic Games, new technologies are often highlighted,” said Ray Zepp, director of village operations. “We appreciate Georgia Power’s commitment to the Games and the environment. The electric trams will be a cornerstone of the Olympic Village’s transportation system.”

The trams are pulled by an electric tow tractor manufactured in Kennesaw by Tug Manufacturing Corp. The electric tow tractor, originally designed to pull baggage trailers at airports, is being used in a new application to pull three 12-passenger trailers. Manufactured by Taylor-Dunn, each tram uses an industrial battery provided by GNB Technologies, whose world headquarters is located in Atlanta.

Georgia Power will support all electric transportation needs, including maintenance, and provide the infrastructure to recharge electric vehicles during the Games.

“Electric vehicle technology has arrived,” said Paul Bowers, Georgia Power’s senior vice president of marketing and executive sponsor for the Southern Company’s electric transportation initiatives. “Using the all-electric trams during the Olympic Games is an important step in increasing public awareness about electric vehicle technology and their benefits to the environment.”

A main goal of Georgia Power’s electric transportation program is to reduce air pollution. This is especially important in cities such as Atlanta.

As part of its commitment to electric transportation, Georgia Power is taking leadership roles in several industry organizations at the local and national levels.

Georgia Power -- as part of the Southern Company -- is also participating in a collaborative effort to provide financial support to the U. S. Advanced Battery Consortium. In addition, Georgia Power performs a variety of tests at its Electric Vehicle Research Center in Atlanta, a facility exclusively dedicated to electric vehicle research.