The San Mateo County Community College District supports the use of alternative energy by installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on all three of its campuses.

After receiving a grant from the California Energy Commission, 11 charging stations were installed throughout the Skyline, CSM and Canada College campuses. One of the four Skyline units was installed in the auto-tech center for instructional purposes.

The process to install and implement the EV charging stations has been about a year in the making. Joe Fullerton, the Energy Management Coordinator, spearheaded the venture. According to Fullerton, Skyline and Canada College collaborated on writing the grant proposal for the units about a year and half ago after various student groups and staff members showed an interest in supporting the use and needs of alternative transportation including electronic vehicles.

The grant covered the cost for all 11 units; each unit roughly costing $10,000-12,000 retail. The district covered the infrastructure costs at about $100,000.

The charging stations have been up and running since August and are on a trial basis for the next 6 to 12 months free of charge to students and faculty. Fullerton said that the EV units can track and collect data, pinpointing peak usage
times and quantity. The district will use this information to decide whether or not it will become necessary to start charging students after a certain number of hours.

“If we set it up right, you [will] really only get charged after a 4 hour increment.” said Fullerton.

Auto-tech students in Building 11 are reaping the benefits of the new installation on the Skyline campus.

“It used to take a whole day to charge [an electric car]. This one only takes about a half a day,” said Don Ross, an automotive technician and assistant at Skyline’s auto-tech center.

The students will have more time and opportunities to work on the frequently charged electronic cars. In this day and age, the demand for skilled electric and hybrid auto technicians is escalating.

Feedback from all the community college students will impact future decisions to inspire more alternative energy options on campus.

“They are physical markers of trying to sustain energy” said Fullerton. Indeed, the stations are a concrete reminder to all of us that alternative energy is quickly becoming more available and more efficient.

“I think it’s a good idea. It’s also an issue of advertising it because not a lot of students might know about it,” said Skyline student Jonathan Blakeslee “If it’s advertised well enough, I think it’s a good idea, but I think they should install more.”