The state of Vermont has set an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas pollution by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. As the fourth largest employer in Vermont, ̽̽ is doing its part to provide the charging infrastructure needed to ease the EV transition on campus.
̽̽ is in the midst of an electrification project that will result in nearly 100 EV charging ports at four different campus locations over the next two years. Twenty-four of these ports will be installed next year at the Wheeler House parking lot on the corner of Main Street and Prospect Street. Thanks to ̽̽ institutional funds and a $53,200 grant from the state of Vermont, these ports will be available to campus visitors and employees. The other locations include 284 East Avenue (home of ̽̽ Police Services and ̽̽ Rescue) and lots at Centennial Field and the Bio Research Complex.
“̽̽ launched its own Comprehensive Sustainability Plan in 2023, which is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030,” said Elizabeth Palchak, ̽̽’s director of sustainability. “A key goal is reducing our GHG from the university’s fleet of vehicles. Our project represents the largest investment in EV infrastructure in the state.”
“The October 3 event introduced partners on campus to several electric vehicle options, from light trucks to passenger cars,” said Jamie Smith, ̽̽’s director of transportation and parking services. “It was a great opportunity for departments and schools that own vehicles to hear from their peers who are already going electric. EVs are a great match for the vast majority of our fleet needs. It’s helpful to experience them firsthand to overcome any concerns about their performance.”
Smith explains that ̽̽’s fleet procurement procedure, introduced five years ago, provides guidelines for owners of ̽̽ fleet vehicles to switch to EV models when their older gas-powered models need replacement. Supporting this transition is a plethora of incentives from the federal, state, and local levels. ̽̽’s sustainability plan calls for reduction of the overall fleet size 10% by 2030 and increasing the number of electric light-duty fleet vehicles to 100% by 2040.
“We’re excited by our progress, and the enthusiasm of electric vehicle owners on campus,” said Abby Bleything, ̽̽’s sustainable transportation program manager. “EV’s in the campus fleet have quadrupled in the last 18 months from seven vehicles to 29. This success is largely due to the availability of electric work vehicles and our campus partners’ willingness to try new things that contribute to the University’s carbon neutrality goals.”