Well, my new job isn't DIRECTLY related to my new degree of carbon management, HOWEVER, one of the projects I'm working on is looking at manufacturing processes for the build of an electric cash-in-transit vehicle to be used in urban environments. It's battery powered and has a solar panel on the roof. It's actually the first all electric one of it's kind, so pretty cool.

Here's some info from the web:

"...the world’s first fully electric cash in transit vehicle.

The trial vehicle, which will operate in the Greater London area, is projected to save 4974kg of carbon emissions per year and is the latest step in G4S’ ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

The ground-breaking vehicle, developed in partnership with Allied Electric, combines the latest in battery technology and electronic management software together with a tried and tested production vehicle converted into a highly specialised cash in transit protected vehicle encompassing state-of-the-art security features.

Ken Niven, Divisional CEO, G4S Cash Solutions, commented: “I believe that this prototype may lead G4S into deploying more of these vehicles in city centres, harnessing the benefits of zero pollution and noise, while providing clear economic operating benefits.”

Powered entirely by Lithium-Ion batteries, propelling the vehicle produces no carbon, particulate or pollutants. The vehicle has a range of around 100 miles, significantly further than the longest route length it will be required to travel for G4S in between re-charging the batteries.

The vehicle also has a solar panel fitted in order to constantly provide a source of sustainable energy back to the battery while the vehicle is on the road. The photovoltaic module is incorporated into a panel on the roof of the cash delivery vehicle and will produce enough sustainable energy to power the vehicle’s ancillary electrical energy usage. These panels were first introduced to the UK fleet in 2010 after a lengthy trial.

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“Electric power is up to seven times cheaper than the equivalent diesel vehicle and there are further cost benefits with road tax and congestion charge exemption in the capital, so in the longer term these vehicles may be able to cut costs as well as our carbon footprint.”

G4S is also carrying out assessments on alternative fuels, has introduced photovoltaic panels on 71 vehicles in 2010 and will add another 63 during the course of 2011 in order to further reduce its carbon footprint."