CREDIT: STEPHANIE LAI
ChargePoint's electrical vehicle charging station is located on Fanshawe’s Technology Drive (outside between B and C buildings) and can be paid for with a credit card.

Not too long ago, the idea of a vehicle powered entirely by electricity seemed farfetched. Today, electrical vehicles (EVs) are not only a reality, but they're gaining popularity, and EV chargers are popping up all over the place.

Fanshawe acquired its own charging station in the spring of 2013, and the College's Chair of industrial research, John Makaran, saw the installation through.

In 2009 the College was granted a $2.3 million grant under which several projects related to sustainability could proceed.

“[At Fanshawe], what we try to do is implement a more extensive project-based learning paradigm,” said Makaran. “We implemented things like capstone projects in our courses, in our programs.”

While Makaran explained that the charger is not a formal part of the grant, it came in a “roundabout manner.”

“There was a company called ChargePoint that was offering free chargers to educational institutions in North America,” he said.

It was an offer Makaran did not refuse.

Former student Bobby LeBlanc ended up overseeing the whole project.

“He actually managed the project from start to finish,” said Makaran. “My role is if there are any barriers, I help clear [them], but he actually did the installation.”

Makaran said the Facilities department at the College was receptive in regards to the installation.

“They're all very helpful and that's a very important point,” he said. “It showed how all parts of the College work together.”

The charger on campus is a part of ChargePoint's network, meaning EV drivers can see the locations of chargers in the surrounding area for a top-up charge.

“Anybody can access these chargers,” said Makaran. “As fuel costs increase, we foresee the need for electric vehicles, particularly for city driving.”

Like anything new, there are pros and cons to having the charger on campus.

“It raises awareness of electric vehicles ... if anybody uses this, we have access to the data,” he said. The data would come in handy for future research purposes. “[It works out] nicely with our research that we're doing it to renewable technologies.”

Usage of the EV charger has been limited, but Makaran insisted the College is ahead of the times.

“We foresee the need increasing, and that's why we [installed] it,” he said. “Typically when you work on research projects, you're thinking in a five- to 10-year time frame. We're ahead of the curve in that respect.”

Reception to the charger may be virtually nonexistent, but Makaran said gaining experience with the technology is “hard to put a price” on.

“Making people aware of the environmental issues as well, being associated with breakthrough technologies I think [is] beneficial to the College,” he said.

Check out the charger on Technology Drive. The charger is offered on a pay-per-charge basis and can be paid for by credit card.

Find out more about ChargePoint at chargepoint.com.