Michael O’Grady | sports editor

Duquesne University is bringing on the future, or at least, it’s trying to.

On Sept. 29, Duquesne students received an email from university officials announcing the installation of three electric vehicle charging stations accompanied by six parking spaces on Seitz Street across from Des Places Hall. The email said that starting Oct. 31, Duquesne students, staff and faculty with parking permits could begin using the stations provided they download the ChargePoint app and set up an account.

Usage of the stations is not free. For the first four hours, the rate is 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. A 50-minute grace period will allow drivers to move their vehicles afterward, otherwise the hourly rate increases to $4.

This announcement comes at a time where electric vehicles are becoming more widespread on American roads. According to the International Energy Agency, 1.4 million new electric vehicles were registered in the United States in 2023, a 40% increase from 2022. That number is expected to increase again in 2024, but Duquesne had been planning installation long before projections became reality.

“The university started to explore the possibility of installing EV charging stations last year,” said Scott Richards, assistant vice president of auxiliary services in an email. “In January of 2023, a survey was sent to campus to assess interest and demand. Based on survey feedback, it was determined that the faculty, staff and students were excited to see this opportunity on campus, spurring the university to move forward with the project.”

Richards explained that ChargePoint was chosen as the provider because of the company’s “convenient” app to use in tandem with the stations. Duquesne Light Company provided a grant for the installation, and the location on Seitz Street was “determined based on proximity to power sources and availability for both students and staff.”

Duquesne is joining other Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania universities in adding charging stations to campus. The University of Pittsburgh has 50-plus stations installed and are looking into adding more, according to The Pitt News. Penn State University has two parking areas in State College dedicated to electric charging.

Additionally, organizations around the city are providing other sustainable charging options in their parking areas. At Phipps Conservatory and Frick Park, solar-paneled car ports are available for electric vehicles to use.

Duquesne’s decision to follow these trends is supported by several on-campus organizations, including the University Sustainability Committee. Sarah Wright commended the installations, saying the stations are both a benefit to the planet and university, and should encourage more commuters to drive electric vehicles to campus.

“The USC believes that there are enough commuters in the Duquesne community driving EVs for these stations to be efficiently used, including faculty, staff and students,” Wright said. “I know the faculty and staff have been pushing for EV charging stations for a number of years; we hope students will take advantage of them, too.”

Despite Wright’s optimism, The Duke observed the six dedicated spaces multiple times over the past week, and found no cars were being charged or were parked in the spaces. Traffic cones were placed over two spaces, indicating that one charger might not be fully functional yet.

One student, Adrian Hermocilla, hadn’t read the university’s announcement and was unaware of the installation.

“That’s probably cool for people who need them, easier access for them,” Hermocilla said. “I’m not sure how available that is for other people if they’re not [parking] at Duquesne, so I guess that’s cool.”

Aaron Stasko also had been uninformed, but he was excited to hear of the new addition, expressing his affinity for electric vehicles.

“My first car that I’ll actually be able to afford on my own,” Stasko said. “I would definitely buy an electric one.”

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies Brady Porter is a faculty member who has already made the switch to electric, although his Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is not a plug-in. He said that the cost of gasoline will contribute to the rising sales of electric vehicles in Pittsburgh as a whole.

“Families might have vehicles just for commuting and vehicles for longer trips,” Porter said. “It’s reasonable for a metropolitan city like Pittsburgh.”

He emphasized, however, the effect the charging stations will have on the Duquesne community.

“It’s a real positive sign and moving forward with sustainability on campus,” Porter said.