Electric Vehicle plugged in at the charging station.

Colby-Sawyer College Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Station

by Rebecca Tham, 19
Oct. 20, 2018

As part of the college’s most recent campus improvements and ongoing commitment to sustainability, an electrical vehicle (EV) charging station was installed this fall. The free EV station works with all plug-in vehicles and is located in Parking Lot D, adjacent to Colby-Sawyer’s wind turbine and Sue’s Sugar Shack. Estimated charging times can be found at clippercreek.com/charging-times-chart.

A generous donation from New London Energy Committee members and EV enthusiasts Jamie Hess and Lisa Kendrick Hess '81 helped fund the Level 2 Clipper Creek HCS-40R 7.7 kW model. Professor of Natural and Environmental Sciences Ben Steele, Ph.D., who commutes to campus in his EV, was also instrumental in bringing the charging station to campus.

Jennifer White, Director of Sustainability and Innovation, met with the college’s Facilities Department to identify possible locations and collaborated with Dr. Steele, Jamie Hess and Lisa Hess to determine an appropriate and affordable model that would be accessible to a range of vehicle types.

During a nine-month feasibility study, Colby-Sawyer will evaluate user frequency to determine if a future permit or fee system may be necessary. The college will also consider installing more stations on campus based on study results.

EV charging stations are growing in popularity with several universities across New England hosting stations, including University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont and University of Massachusetts at Amherst. According to the International Energy Agency, the number of EVs around the world numbered 3.1 million in 2017, up 54 percent from the previous year. Projections suggest that number will reach 125 million by 2030. Drivers can find charging stations on U.S. Department of Energy website at afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_stations.html.

Colby-Sawyer has purchased 100 percent renewable energy since 2010 and aims to be a carbon-neutral campus by 2050. The college hopes that making this small contribution to the region’s electric vehicle infrastructure will allow drivers to continue to reduce their own carbon footprint, and will encourage more sustainable ridership in years to come.