Following the recent installation of six new electric vehicle car charging spots, including two at the Route 32 lot and four at the Elting Gym lot, SUNY New Paltz has joined the Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge to help expand access to workplace charging stations.  By being a part of this challenge, SUNY New Paltz will access to technical resources, network with challenge partners, and be a part of the national movement to grow the electric vehicle market.

The Workplace Charging Challenge is a collaborative effort to increase the number of U.S. employers offering workplace charging by tenfold in the next five years. The Challenge also supports the broader efforts of the Department’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, announced by President Obama in March 2012, to make PEVs as affordable and convenient for the American family as gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 10 years.

By participating in the challenge, SUNY New Paltz is committing to developing plans to support future electric vehicles.  At this time, three faculty and staff members own or lease electric vehicles (EV).  That number is likely to grow as EVs drop in price, companies introduce new models, and the mileage range increases.  A recent survey of faculty and staff at New Paltz found that 24% of respondents would definitely consider an electric vehicle for their next car purchase and 33% may consider an electric vehicle.  Fifty-four respondents who would consider an electric vehicle plan to make their next vehicle purchase within the next four years.

Electric vehicle charging stations are one of many new sustainable transportation options available at SUNY New Paltz. Other recent improvements include a bike share program with new bike racks across campus, a Zipcar rental program for students, the new transportation hub at the Route 32 parking lot and new weekend service for the New Paltz Loop Bus.