Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has installed seven electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on campus. The project was funded with support from National Grid and the Charge Ready NY initiative from The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Charge Ready NY offers public and private organizations that install Level 2 EV charging stations at public parking facilities, workplaces, and multifamily apartment buildings rebates of $4,000 per charging port they install, a significant savings of 30% to 80%, depending on station and installation costs. Charging stations typically have one or two charging ports per station. Level 2 stations provide up to 25 miles of electric range to cars for each hour they are charging.

“Focus on sustainability is a strategic initiative of the Institute," said Claude Rounds, the vice president for administration at Rensselaer. "Thanks to support from NYSERDA and National Grid, Rensselaer is continuing to diversify its sustainability efforts with the addition of these new EV charging stations.”

The charging stations are located on or near campus, with one at the Service Building, two at E-Dorm/North Lot, two at the Parking Garage, one by the Off-Campus Commons, and one at B-Lot.

There is no cost for using the EV charging stations, and anyone with a valid Rensselaer parking permit is able to use them. They must first register with “Chargepoint,” the service provider.