As part of Luther’s campaign for campus sustainability and environmental awareness, two new electric-powered fleet vehicles have been put into use by facilities services and campus security.

Two smaller electric vehicles were purchased earlier this year for about $14,500 each, while two additional, larger vehicles were purchased for $25,000 for security and maintenance purposes.

Rich Tenneson, director of Facilities Services, spent two years compiling data about Neighborhood Electric Vehicles and studying the current maintenance vehicles. His cost and savings projections showed that each NEV would save on average $1,800 and 7,600 pounds of carbon emission per year. This may not seem like much considering Luther’s carbon emission is about 45,000,000 pounds, but Tenneson is looking to make small changes that could have an effect on the community outside of Luther.

“Just think, if every college did that, the impact it would have,” said Tenneson. “I’m promoting this whole savings as much as I can with other colleges …and I know a few other people that were here for the sustainability conference were interested in what they could save.”

Because the electric vehicles do not require any gasoline, they are not subject to the fluctuating gas prices, and the cost of operation is significantly lower. Only about $66 is spent annually on electricity costs per vehicle.

“They’re probably a little more expensive,” said Tenneson. “It’s not much more than a new truck, but when you look at the payback on them, we’re talking 10 years or less … especially if the gasoline prices go up.”

The vehicles cannot exceed 35 mph but the use of them in a town the size of Decorah makes sense.

“Most [small college’s] traffic is probably very local, under 35 MPH speed limits,” said Tenneson. “If all of the colleges in the United States did that, it would be a huge impact on our carbon [emissions].”

Tenneson was inspired by President Torgerson’s pledge to reduce Luther’s carbon emissions.

“It made all of us start thinking ‘how can we reduce our carbon footprint at Luther College?’” said Tenneson.

Jim Ahles, director of Campus Safety and Security, agreed.

“We are doing as much as much as possible to support the President and Luther’s commitment to be carbon-free,” said Ahles.

Security had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new NEVs, and the result so far has been satisfactory.

“It seems like we’ve been waiting forever … it’s like getting a new toy,” said Ahles.

Caleb Mattison, campus sustainability intern, thought the purchase was a step in the right direction.

“[The vehicles] are much more environmentally friendly, so the action fits with the college’s commitment to sustainable development,” said Mattison. “This seems to be a move towards eventually replacing all college vehicles with environmentally friendly alternatives.”

Tenneson reiterated these sentiments.

“I’ve taken a phrase the President [Torgerson] has used, that we’d ‘be a model not a mirror’ to other institutions,” said Tenneson. “I think by us modeling what we’re doing with the carbon footprint, especially in these vehicles, as well as other things we’re doing. Hopefully we can be out front and other people can learn from what we’re doing.”