| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.89 |
| Liaison | Allie Schwartz |
| Submission Date | Aug. 29, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Columbia University
OP-15: Campus Fleet
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.46 / 1.00 |
Dan
Allalemdjian Director, Transportation Demand Management Environmental Stewardship, Columbia University Facilities and Operations |
Total number of vehicles (e.g. cars, carts, trucks, tractors, buses, electric assist cycles) in the institution’s fleet:
Number of vehicles in the institution's fleet that are:
| Number of Vehicles | |
| Gasoline-electric, non-plug-in hybrid | 20 |
| Diesel-electric, non-plug-in hybrid | 0 |
| Plug-in hybrid | 0 |
| 100 percent electric | 9 |
| Fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG) | 0 |
| Hydrogen fueled | 0 |
| Fueled with B20 or higher biofuel for more than 4 months of the year | 0 |
| Fueled with locally produced, low-level (e.g. B5) biofuel for more than 4 months of the year | 0 |
Do the figures reported above include leased vehicles?:
A brief description of the institution’s efforts to support alternative fuel and power technology in its motorized fleet:
As a compact urban campus, the University's fleet is kept very minimal, with under 60 owned vehicles that are mostly used as Public Safety patrol cars and Facilities grounds vehicles.
In 2017, Columbia released its Sustainability Plan, which includes plans to take further actions that reduce GHG emissions from the fleet and contracted vehicles. Columbia continues to adopt hybrid and electric vehicles for its fleet vehicles where feasible. Some recent and significant actions in this realm are as follows:
The University has contracted to purchase six new battery-electric transit-style buses to replace the existing diesel-powered buses on its campus shuttle network. The new fleet – among the first electric buses to be introduced in New York City – offers both environmental and health benefits, including reduced emissions and noise pollution, and improved air quality. Transitioning to electric buses is expected to reduce University shuttle greenhouse gas emissions by over 270 metric tons, a 70% reduction in emissions from the existing diesel shuttle buses. The new electric buses began operation summer 2018.
A $900,000 New York State (NYS) electric vehicle grant is set to be awarded to Columbia for the purchase of the electric buses, which will help offset the cost of the buses. This grant led to the purchase of a sixth electric bus, allowing Columbia to reduce emissions from an additional shuttle route.
More on this news story:
https://sustainable.columbia.edu/news/columbia-university-shuttles-get-electric
In 2017 Columbia’s Public Safety made three significant fleet updates that will translate to fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
1. Public Safety acquired two 100% electric patrol vehicles, both Chevy Bolt.
2. Public Safety up-fitted one of its Evening Shuttle buses to a hybrid-electric vehicle, increasing its MPG and reducing GHG emissions.
3. Public Safety replaced an existing Ford shuttle with the more fuel efficient Mercedes Sprinter van.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.