The low speed vehicle EV program remains a memorable part of my clean transportation work in New York. I helped coordinate projects that put electric vehicles on campuses. Here is one example of that work.

Low Speed Vehicle EV Program at SUNY

Here is an excerpt of the press release from the University at Albany:

The University at Albany has received 10 pollution-reducing Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) cars from DaimlerChrysler and the New York Power Authority (NYPA). They are low speed electric vehicles which can only go a maximum of 35 miles per hour. The GEM cars are part of 130 electric vehicles donated to the State University of New York, Chancellor Robert L. King announced.

The State University of New York (SUNY) is the single largest recipient through the NYPA/GEM donation program with 130 electric cars for use at 26 campuses. That’s from Alfred in the Southern Tier to Plattsburgh in the North Country. Then Stony Brook on Long Island.

Gray GEM electric vehicle with an enclosed cabin parked on grass near palm trees.

“The use of these donated GEM cars on SUNY campuses will reduce by thousands of pounds the emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other gases to protect the environment,” said King. “It will also help SUNY control costs by eliminating the use of more than 15,000 gallons of gasoline per year.”

“I’m proud of SUNY’s and NYPA’s role in encouraging the use of electric vehicles. I also thank DaimlerChrysler for working with us. Especially to improve the environment. All by expanding the use of alternative energy sources,” said Governor George E. Pataki. “I applaud this effort. I also encourage all participants to maximize the benefits of these vehicles.”

For the entire release

please go to SUNY.edu

Looking Back at Campus Electrification

This historical account highlights the people and partnerships behind an early campus electrification effort. It also connects my clean transportation work with a concrete example: GEM vehicles serving SUNY campuses. Moreover, it preserves a record of how New York institutions approached electric mobility before today’s wider EV market.