There are a number of reasons for going electric. Electric ice resurfacing machines eliminate the pollution inside the arena in the form of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Both gases are dangerous exhaust gases given off by internal combustion engines. Electric ice resurfacing machines have become a popular option:
- Engo – offers electric-only options for ice resurfacing machines and edgers
- Olympia – offers electric and fossil-fuelled resurfacers
- WM-On-Ice – offers the widest range of fuel types, from lithium-ion electric to gas, LPG and diesel
- Zamboni – offers lithium-ion and lead acid battery options in addition to CNG, gas and propane models
Some ballpark costs are: Propane fuel for a year is about $5,000; electricity is about $1,000. Maintenance for the internal combustion engine is about $5,000; for the electric, it can run to about $3,000. A one-time cost of $1,000 for a charging station will be required.
What needs to be factored in is the cost of battery replacement at intervals of five to seven years. Current battery costs are estimated at about $12,000. The rapid pace of battery development and the savings accruing from high volume production for the automotive industry, this cost might decline sharply before the need for a first replacement in perhaps six years’ time.
Ice resurfacer electric conversions turn your existing propane or natural gas powered system into electric drive.
Benefits:
- Lower operating cost
- Eliminating pollution inside the arena
Savings:
- Propane, fuel or natural gas (depending on ice resurfacer)
- CO2
Web resource:
- Chemainus Valley Courier: North Cowichan making the switch from propane for ice resurfacing at Fuller Lake
- Petosky News: New-zamboni-to-benefit-petoskey-ice-arena
- City of Nanaimo: Corporate Strategic Energy Management Plan
- ORFA: Guidelines for indoor air quality in arenas
