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Electric vehicle chargers now on Tempe campus

New charging stations have been installed in the Packard Drive South, Fulton Center and Tyler Street parking structures for electric cars. (Photo by Shawn Raymundo)
New charging stations have been installed in the Packard Drive South, Fulton Center and Tyler Street parking structures for electric cars. (Photo by Shawn Raymundo)

ASU installed six charging stations March 14 to provide drivers of electric vehicles with a free source of energy.

Green technology company ECOtality and ASU’s Parking and Transit Services collaborated as part of The EV Project, a federally funded national initiative to expand the company’s Blink Network brand of electric vehicle charging stations across the country, said Marc Sobelman, ECOtality’s area manager for Arizona.

“ASU has been ahead of the game as far as alternative fuels and vehicles from the very beginning,” Sobelman said. “So they were a perfect match for us to host our charging stations as The EV Project.”

Two chargers each were added to the Fulton Center and Tyler Street parking structures and the Packard Drive South garage, free of charge until the end of 2012.

So far, the EV Project includes 18 major cities in seven states, Sobelman said.

Sobelman said he hopes The EV Project will make people comfortable with the technology and encourage people to purchase an electric vehicle.

“It’s the first step in a long process of getting off the foreign oil and taking an internal combustion engine off the road one by one,” Sobelman said.

ASU is the largest public institution in the state with electric charging stations, said PTS spokeswoman Sarah Mason.

“We are changing to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff,” Mason said.

PTS offers the free Blink access cards needed to use the stations to students, faculty and staff from its office at University Towers.

Electric vehicle owners who are not affiliated with ASU can purchase a Blink membership on the company’s website.

“We are here to make the university experience better for everyone and increasing our service does that,” Mason said.

Business law junior Alex Johnson said he uses the EV station at the Fulton Center Garage to charge his Nissan LEAF while he is in class.

Johnson commutes 20 miles to Tempe almost cost-free from his Phoenix home.

“I hear (my friends) complain and I laugh,” Johnson said. “I offer them rides because it’s close to free.”

Johnson said his car takes five hours to fully charge and can travel up to 80 to 90 miles.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a tree hugger, but this is something good to keep money from going to the Middle East,” Johnson said.

Sustainability senior Eric Beeler, the executive of Campus Student Sustainability Initiatives, said he supports the University’s initiative to become more sustainable by providing charging stations.

“I think it might encourage people to purchase an (electric vehicle),” Beeler said.

 

Reach the reporter at thaniab@asu.edu

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