In 2011, Chris Paine ’83 directed the film Revenge of the Electric Car, chronicling the resurgence of electric vehicles (EVs) following their failure to go mainstream early in the century. In recognition of the electric car’s “revenge,” early this summer Colgate unveiled the university’s first on-campus EV charging station.
It was a development that instantly made environmentally sustainable transportation a more viable option on campus.
The station, located on Lally Lane near Donovan’s Pub, will allow EV owners to “refuel” at a reasonable rate of $1.50 per hour, with a full charge taking between 3-6 hours depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
A Level 2 ChargePoint station, it is compatible with any make and model electric vehicle, though Tesla vehicles will require an adapter.
The university’s vehicle fleet already includes two fully electric vehicles, and the addition of a charging station opens the possibility that more could be added.
With greater than 10 percent of the university’s carbon footprint the result of emissions from Colgate commuters and Colgate-owned vehicles, expanding the options for electric vehicles is a significant step in Colgate’s quest for carbon neutrality by its 2019 bicentennial.
Incorporating more EVs into the Colgate fleet will also reduce operating costs, as the cost of powering university vehicles with electricity is significantly lower than the cost of fueling them with gasoline.
To learn more about the new EV charging station, check out the announcement from John Pumilio, Colgate’s director of sustainability.
Electric vehicles are not the only way that Colgate is promoting sustainable transportation on campus:
- Green Bikes is an affordable bicycle rental option from the Sustainability Office for students, faculty, and staff to power their own transportation on campus and around town.
- The Colgate Cruiser provides public transportation during the academic year for students and community members around the Colgate campus and Hamilton village. Cruisers are equipped with EPA-approved low-emission diesel engines, with some powered by propane. (Cruiser schedules are available on the Colgate mobile app.)
- Services like Gateswap and Purpool create opportunities for all members of the Colgate community to carpool, either for their daily commutes or for longer trips.