BS21 Procurement and Use of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at University Park

Contents:

• Purpose
• Scope and Authority
• Background
• Policy
• Electric Vehicle Committee
• Further Information
• Cross References

PURPOSE:

To set forth the University's policy regarding the procurement and use of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

SCOPE AND AUTHORITY:

This policy applies to all property owned or leased by the University.

BACKGROUND:

The University supports initiatives that promote environmentally-focused and sustainable transportation, including the use of electric vehicles. However, because only a small percentage of electricity in Pennsylvania is currently considered renewable, charging of electric vehicles must be offset by an equivalent renewable energy source to be considered a sustainable alternative transportation practice.

Several EV stations have been established on campus by various University departments for use by their department vehicles only. The stations were purchased by each department and the electricity used by these stations is offset by renewable energy sources established by the Office of Physical Plant (OPP).

Public-use EV charging stations installed and managed by Transportation Services are available at select campus parking areas. Charging fees and standard parking requirements apply.

POLICY:

If a University organization, employee, or student wishes to establish an EV charging station on campus, a proposal must be submitted to the Electric Vehicle Committee.  The proposal should address the following criteria:

• Charging station type (i.e. level I, level II or level III) and location.*
• Documentation showing that 100% of funding is provided by the department, organization, private donation, or evidence of a supporting business model.
• Documentation demonstrating that 100% of the electricity used would be offset or generated by a sustainable campus energy source.
• Charging circuit metering. Which should ensure that each EV charging station is individually metered and connected to the Facility Automation System (FAS) system.
• Compliance with existing University parking regulations and land use aesthetics.

If a University department or organization wishes to purchase a fully electric vehicle (this includes gas/plug-in hybrid) or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV), which will be charged on campus, a proposal must be submitted to the Electric Vehicle Committee. The proposal should address the following criteria:

• Charging station type (i.e. level I, level II or level III) and location.*
• Appropriate parking/charging location of the vehicle is identified in collaboration with Transportation Services.
• Documentation showing that 100% of funding is provided by the department, organization, private donation, or evidence of a supporting business model.
• Documentation demonstrating that 100% of the electricity used would be offset or generated by a sustainable campus energy source, or the user will be charged a modified electrical rate to facilitate renewable infrastructure.
• Acquisition of the vehicle must follow University Policy BS18.

* This should be determined collaboratively between the sponsor and Electric Vehicle Committee.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMMITTEE:

An Electric Vehicle Committee will be established to review EV charging station proposals. This committee will also conduct as-needed reviews of EV policy and the local demand for electric vehicles.

Any EV charging stations established on campus, or requests for purchase of a fully electric vehicle (this includes gas/plug-in hybrid) or NEV, will be reviewed by the Electric Vehicle Committee and will be required to meet the criteria established by this policy. 

The Electric Vehicle Committee will be comprised of individuals from the following University organizations:

• Transportation Services
• Office of Physical Plant
• Student representative from the University Park Student Transportation Commission

The Electric Vehicle Committee will be tasked with the following review responsibilities, as needed:

• EV charging station policy.
• Local demand for electric vehicle charging on campus by faculty, staff, students, and service providers/contractors.

• EV charging station proposals.

Unanimous approval by the Electric Vehicle Committee will be required for approval of any EV charging stations or purchase of a fully electric vehicle (this includes gas/plug-in hybrid) or NEV.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For questions, additional detail, or to request changes to this policy, please contact the Office of the Associate Vice President, Auxiliary & Business Services.

CROSS REFERENCES:

AD38 - Administration of University Physical Facilities

BS03 - Faculty and Staff Parking Rules and Regulations

BS04 - Student Parking Rules and Regulations

BS05 - Visitor, Contractor and Service Parking Rules, Regulations, and Information (University Park)

BS18 - Procurement or Acquisition of Light-Duty Motor Vehicles (8,500 GVW or less)

Effective Date: May 4, 2017

Date Approved: May 4, 2017

Date Published: May 4, 2017

Most Recent Changes:

• August 28, 2020 - this policy has been updated with new terminology, SME information, adjustments to review frequency and new information related to publicly available EV charging stations on campus.

• May 4, 2017 - Per the Electric Vehicle Committee, this policy has been updated to improve the rules on the type of charging stations allowed on campus, and to include Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) as another type of vehicle regulated by this policy.

Revision History (and effective dates):

• September 21, 2015 - New policy.