Indianapolis, IN
Heard the buzz? Kittle’s uses EV for Indianapolis deliveries – Furniture Today
INDIANAPOLIS — When the time came to redo leases on trucks for its delivery fleet, Kittle’s Furniture here was presented an interesting option.
Palmer Leasing, the group that provides the Indianapolis-based retailer with its trucks, had come into possession of an electric truck and thought six-store Kittle’s would be a great first user.
“They asked if we would be interested in getting that truck instead of a diesel unit. The way the world’s going, we thought it would be a good idea to try it out and see how it goes,” Tyler Baker, director of operations for the retailer, told Furniture Today. “It’s a little more expensive, but they worked with us and made us a good deal, so we decided to try it.”
The truck was incorporated into the fleet in November and has been on the road consistently for six months. Baker said there were some learning moments when it was rolled out, including managing its charge, but since then it’s been a fixture, particularly for local deliveries.
“It has performed great. We keep it local; it’s got a 200-mile range on it,” Baker said. “Most of our customers are within 10 miles of our distribution center, so we drive it 75 to 100 miles a day and when we get back, there are roughly 100 miles on it. If we were go to some of our remote areas, it would be tough, but luckily most of our customers are close to us. That’s another reason we were able to do it.”
So how was the new truck received by the delivery teams that get to drive it?
“They love it. It was a little weird at first because it was so quiet, kind of like a golf cart. Once they got used to it, they love it. It gets up and goes pretty quickly,” Baker said.
Customers are also wowed when the EV makes a stop. “The customers love it. We have a big wrap on it that says it’s an electric truck,” Baker said.
Baker said the cost savings of not having to refuel the truck with diesel essentially offsets the additional cost of the lease. He said as these vehicles become more accepted and available, those costs should come down, and Kittle’s would be open to additional opportunities, particularly for its local stops.
“We’ll definitely consider it. Right now, with the mileages, we wouldn’t be able to have a whole fleet, but it’s something we would look at more than we have in the past,” he said. “Especially a few years from now, Palmer expects the prices to come down. As prices come down and lease rates come down, it’s definitely something we’ll look into in the future.”
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis City-County Council president explains her desire for a data center moratorium.
Council President Maggie Lewis wants to put a pause on new data center developments. The proposal comes after months of public pressure from residents and environmental groups who say the city needs stronger rules before allowing more data centers. Now, Lewis says it’s time to hit pause while those questions are answered.
“I’m not saying that we’ll never have a new data center in our community. That’s not what this is about. I understand the importance of economic development in our community, but it is important that we hit pause, do that deep dive, and allow the community and the experts to have an honest conversation about the topic,” Lewis said.
Lewis says she isn’t trying to stop economic development. Instead, she says the city needs more time to fully understand what data centers could mean for Indianapolis before approving additional projects. Lewis says residents have raised questions about the potential impact on utilities, the environment and quality of life, and she believes those concerns deserve a more thorough public discussion before the city moves forward with additional developments.
“The community really is feeling as if their voices haven’t been heard. I believe it’s important that we bring all the stakeholders to the table and have that honest dialogue,” Lewis said.
Councilman Ron Gibson, who supports bringing data centers to Indianapolis, and he says these projects can bring investment to neighborhoods when they’re built in the right locations.
“This land where they’re going to actually develop it has been vacant for more than 43 years,” Gibson said. “It’s zoned for industrial use. This is really going to enhance our neighborhood. It’s going to bring back life, create more businesses that want to move into our area, and create more opportunity.”
One of the biggest concerns raised by opponents is whether increased demand for electricity and water could create additional costs for taxpayers.
“I believe strongly that the data centers must uphold total costs. I made sure the developer, in writing, is responsible for all utility costs, so none of that rolls over to constituents,” Gibson said.
Across Indiana, at least 17 counties have approved temporary moratoriums on new data center developments. Marshall and Cass counties have gone even further, banning new facilities altogether.
The committee meeting begins Monday at 5:30 p.m. inside the City-County Building, where members will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning rules and consider Lewis’ amendment for a temporary moratorium. If approved by the committee, the proposal would move to the full City-County Council for further consideration.
INDIANAPOLIS — An investigation is underway after a woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash in downtown Indianapolis Saturday morning.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, at around 3:15 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of East Maryland and South Pennsylvania Streets after hearing a loud crash in the area.
When officers arrived on scene, they were flagged down by several people stating a pedestrian had been struck. Officers located an adult female who had been on a scooter in the crosswalk of the intersection.
She was transported to an area hospital in critical condition but later died from her injuries, IMPD said.
Investigators said the striking motorist did not stay on scene.
Police are encouraging those with information on the crash to contact Detective Adam Jones at (317) 327-3475 or call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department detectives on Friday afternoon asked for help in locating 14-year-old Kathya Rodriguez, last seen on Monday afternoon.
On Friday night, an Indiana Silver Alert was issued for the girl.
Described as 4 feet, 9 inches, and 99 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, Kathya was last seen on Monday in the area of 2100 Waterford Place. That’s at The Meridian apartments off Westlane Road/West 71st Street on the city’s northwest side.
She was last seen about 12:45 p.m. Monday. She was wearing a gray hoodie with white writing, blue jeans, and sandals with socks.
In a statement Friday, IMPD said early in the investigation, detectives had no information indicating she was in danger, but as the investigation continued, detectives found details that led them to believe Kathya might be at risk.
Detectives believe she may be with Victor Martinez, 15. IMPD described him as 5 feet, 5 inches, and 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen Monday near 7200 Knobwood Drive. That’s also at The Meridian apartments.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts was asked to call 911, contact the IMPD missing persons unit at 317-327-6160, or call Crimestoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
This story was updated from its initial post after IMPD corrected the last name of Kathya.
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