EVs get a boost at campus garages

University now has 11 charging stations

Tesla charging — A Tesla charges up in Eastern's Cervantes parking garage.

Eastern is upping its energy sustainability profile with five new car chargers added recently to the six already installed at the Shakespeare and Cervantes garages.

The chargers were funded by a federal grant, said Renee Theroux-Keech, director of facilities management and planning. As a condition of funding, the general public must be allowed to use them as well as Eastern students, faculty and staff.

If more EV funding becomes readily available, she said, “We have been exploring electrifying a portion of the Facilities maintenance fleet and would look to locate chargers in areas where the fleet vehicles park.”

The 11 chargers installed so far have been getting regular use, she said. Drivers are asked to observe a two to four-hour charging limit. Campus police are aware of the limit and are monitoring it, she said. Charging is free.

“It’s timely in that energy costs are going to increase dramatically,” said Patricia Szczys, executive director, Institute for Sustainability. Involving students in sustainability is a priority for her, she said, and she envisions future projects for them to track how many EVs are on campus and possibly map charging stations around the county.

Written by Lucinda Weiss

Categories: Sustainability, Facilities