Rutgers University is advancing its sustainability efforts by transitioning its entire gas-powered vehicle fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) over the next decade. The initiative involves acquiring 700 EVs, with the first batch of 24 vehicles, including Subaru Solterras and Ford Mach-Es, already operational on campus since October. Another 24 are expected in spring, bringing this year’s total to 48.
Henry Velez, vice president of Institutional Planning and Operations (IP&O), highlighted the significance of this move: “These EV fleet vehicles represent a transformative move forward for Rutgers. Not only do they enhance our operational efficiency, but they also directly align with our Climate Action Plan, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable practices.”
This project follows Rutgers’ solar panel initiative in 2023, which installed solar canopies generating 14.5 megawatts of power across 16 locations. President Jonathan Holloway has committed to reducing emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
Angela Oberg, chief climate officer at Rutgers, emphasized the university’s dedication to sustainability: “We are creating a culture of sustainability at Rutgers. That means we embed sustainability into everything we do – including how we operate our fleet vehicles.”
The IP&O plans to phase out older vehicles annually while utilizing trade-in values and tax credits to minimize costs. Francine Pfeiffer, senior vice president for Government Relations, noted the role of government incentives: “It’s great to see Rutgers leveraging state and federal government incentives… It’s a win-win for Rutgers and for our environment.”
Despite transportation being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, Oberg acknowledged that replacing these vehicles won’t drastically cut Rutgers’ carbon footprint but will position it as a leader in sustainability.
William O’Brien, assistant vice president of IP&O, announced plans for approximately 100 new charging stations over ten years. Surveys will determine their locations based on travel patterns and needs. “Implementing these changes requires collaboration across departments and stakeholders,” he said.
Most new stations will resemble existing ones in parking lots; however, portable solar stations called Beam ARCs will be used where traditional lines are impractical. These off-grid solutions are already being deployed at select campuses.
Oberg concluded that expanding EV infrastructure could significantly reduce emissions statewide: “If we want to take responsibility for our Scope 3 emissions… We have to make it easier for people to drive EVs to campus.”
