Electric cars now have a chance to juice up on campus.
Two new electric vehicle, or EV, charging stations were donated to the University and installed July 6 in the parking lot across from Patrick F. Taylor Hall and the Hart Lot near Kirby-Smith, according to Gary Graham, director of the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation.
Graham said the stations are here to pave the way for future technologies.
“We are trying to get ahead of the curve,” Graham said. “We wanted to have something prepared and ready when electric cars become more footprint.”
Stuart said the electric vehicles offer many benefits, such as more affordable fuel expenses. She said the electricity that powers the cars generally costs about two cents per mile driven.
Until the end of this year, electric vehicle purchasers will be given a $7,500 federal income tax credit.
The cars also have zero tail pipe emissions and use a cleaner burning fuel and energy that primarily comes from domestic facilities.
“Clean Cities is interested in seeing this type of project be launched so alternative fuels can be available to the everyday person,” Stuart said.
Stuart also organized the Louisiana Clean Energy Expo last April, which sparked interest in placing EV Stations on campus. Representatives from the leading providers of EV charging stations, Verdek and Coulomb, attended the expo. Stuart said the companies were interested in developing infrastructure across the South, and they merged with Entergy on the project.
 
 
____
Contact Laura Furr at [email protected]