LANCASTER – A $15,000 grant to encourage the use of zero emission vehicles was presented to Antelope Valley College Tuesday by officials with the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD).
With the college’s four electric vehicle charging stations serving as a backdrop, officials announced that the grant would enable the college to provide free charging for electric vehicles as an incentive for drivers.
“Because electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrids have become commercially available, we’re looking to promote the use of those vehicles because they’re zero emission,” said Bret Banks, AVAQMD operations manager.
Banks noted there are fewer than 10 limited public access charging stations within the AVAQMD’s 1,300-square-mile service area.
“When we completed this solar energy project in our parking lot last year, we were excited about the opportunity to be able to include electric vehicle charging stations – not only to serve our students and employees, but to the general public,” said college President Dr. Jackie L. Fisher Sr.
“AVC has completed several projects to make better use of natural resources and to conserve energy. This is a win-win situation for the college and the community,” Fisher continued.
The college had initially established a rate of $1.25 per hour for its charging stations. The grant will allow cars to charge for free during the next year.
The AVC charging station is located in parking lot 10 of the Lancaster campus, adjacent to 30th Street West.
The AVC charging station is operated in conjunction with ChargePoint.
(Information via press release from the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District.)
