Scientific assistant at FH Joanneum Schneider tests an electric snowmobile at Packsattel mountain near...
David Schneider, scientific assistant at the University of Applied Sciences Graz (FH Joanneum Graz), tests 'Snowbird' a prototype electric snowmobile on a slope at Packsattel mountain, some 50 kilonetres (some 30 miles) west of Graz, March 11, 2013. Snowbird - Austria's first all-electric snowmobile, not only makes a contribution to resource-efficient and sustainable mountain rescue in the field of winter sports but is a quiet, zero-emission snowmobile which offers a high degree of safety due to its operation at lower speeds. The prototype, which was developed by Energie Steiermark and FH Joanneum in collaboration with the Styrian regional government and cable car company Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen, still costs some 10,000 euros (13,000 USD) more than a conventional one. Picture taken March 11. REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA - Tags: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY TRANSPORT)