Electric vehicle charging station installed on campus
An electric vehicle charging station was installed on campus earlier this semester, becoming the first such station in Banner Elk town limits.
The station, located in the Cannon Student Center parking lot, was funded through a grant from the North Carolina VW Level 2 Charging Station Rebate Program.
The installation of the station is in line with INEXPRO 2030, the latest strategic plan, which calls for the college to engage in sustainability efforts. Developing an electric vehicle infrastructure encourages the community to consider its environmental impacts, said Facilities Director James Leenhouts.
“With its prominent location at the front of the Cannon Student Center, we are creating a meaningful connection between the college and our local community,” Leenhouts said.
The charging station is open to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Elsewhere in the High Country, there are also charging stations at Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain.
“It has tied our community into the greater electric vehicle charging grid,” Leenhouts said. “We are excited for what this means for the college as we invest in electric vehicle infrastructure and soon electric vehicles that create a more sustainable campus.”
Throughout the month of October, the institution is participating in Campus Sustainability Month and is in the process of completing the Sustainable Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Report. STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.
