North Central’s electric vehicle charging station is ready to use

As part of an ongoing effort to support sustainability values and actions into all aspects of campus life, North Central College has installed its first electric vehicle charging station, making it easier for members of the campus community to own and use electric cars.

The electric vehicle charging station is ready to use and situated on the sidewalk in the Old Main parking lot off Loomis Street. The station can charge two vehicles simultaneously in two adjacent parking spaces and may be used free of charge by any North Central College student, faculty, staff or campus visitor.

“North Central is serious in its efforts to help reduce vehicle emissions,” says Brittany Graham, the College’s sustainability coordinator. North Central already owns two vehicles that can use the charging station.

“Encouraging the use of electric vehicles is important. As they become widely used, this has the potential to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and improve air quality around campus. Installing this charging station at the center of campus is a good starting point to get people thinking and purchasing in another direction,” says Graham.

The 15-minute parking space at the station is still available for anyone to use, but now allows electric vehicles to charge for up to three hours. In spring 2013, two additional parking spaces will be added to the Goldspohn parking lot to offset the spaces lost at Old Main. Once these new spaces are created, one of the charging station parking spaces at Old Main will be reserved exclusively for electric vehicles and be limited to three hours per visit. The spaces at Old Main will be clearly distinguished with signage.  

Graham will evaluate the project by gathering data about how often the charging station is being used and how much greenhouse gases have been reduced.

The project was made possible with a generous donation and rebate from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

If any student, faculty, staff or campus visitor wants to use the station free of charge or wants more information, contact Graham at bdgraham@noctrl.edu or 630-637-5623.