Rutgers-Newark Opens First Charging Station for Electric Vehicles

Rutgers-Newark leaders marked the opening of the first electric vehicle charging station on campus, gathering in the Warren Street parking lot, where the station is located.

Interim Chancellor Jeffrey Robinson praised the station as a way to serve the growing number of electric vehicle (EV) owners on campus, predicting the number will increase over the years as more drivers switch to EVs and Rutgers expands its efforts toward climate resiliency.

“When we think of the future of the country and what we’re going to do in terms of electric vehicles, we’re going to need a whole bunch of systems in place,’’ said Robinson. “For this one to be here gets us on our way. And I’m looking forward to having a whole lot of folks who are happy on campus charging here.”

“The last thing I’ll say is that I’m an EV driver, so you might see me over here, too,’’ Robinson added.

The charging station at 110 Warren Street is free and equipped with two ChargePoint chargers that will power vehicles for up to ten hours. The station also has high-intensity LED lights for night time.

University officials noted that this its the first fully solar-powered charging station of its kind at Rutgers. “It’s very special for us because this is a pilot,’’ said Henry Velez, vice president of Institutional Planning and Operations (IPO), Business Services.

David Haines, IPO Director of Operations, explained that the system may shut down and go into safe mode if it’s cloudy or has a period of heavy use. But it can also be used to help power other resources on campus if there is an outage and is equipped with a land line.

“It’s not just about cars, it has the flexibility to provide power to a lot of things,’’ said Haines.

The station is part of a universitywide effort to contribute to environmental sustainability, which will include more university vehicles that are electric, said IPO officials.

“This is just a start. There is going to be a lot more excitement, a lot more opportunities,’’ said Haines.

Robinson and others at the event said that more on-campus charging stations are being planned.

Shante Palmer, Vice Chancellor of External and Government Relations, is a member of the Rutgers Climate Action Group, which recommended the charging stations. She was glad to see those plans become a reality.

“Having this on campus is a great value add,’’ said Palmer.

“But this entire process has been very selfish of me because I drive an EV,’’ she joked.