University of North Alabama Teams Up with EnviroSpark to Bring Tesla Charging Stations to Campus
Aug. 23, 2017
By Bryan Rachal
University Communications
FLORENCE, Ala. – Officials with the University of North Alabama, Tesla and EnviroSpark have teamed up to bring four EV Chargers to campus. The chargers would make UNA’s campus an electrical oasis in a charging desert, so to speak.
“UNA is always looking for opportunities to enhance the quality of life in the Shoals area and provide added value for our students,” said President Ken Kitts. “It is critical that we stay on top of the latest trends in technology and hospitality. The addition of EV chargers to the university campus is one more way we can make our community an attractive place to learn, work, and play.”
Tesla has agreed to provide the charging stations at no cost, which will include four Tesla stations and two universal plug stations, located at two different locations on campus. Additionally, the company is providing $3,000 toward the installation cost at each location. However, this might not have happened had famed designer Billy Reid not stepped in.
"We are thrilled to bring Tesla Motor Vehicles to the Shoals for this year's Shindig,” said Reid. “And we are extremely appreciative of the work UNA provided in helping implement the permanent charging stations for not only Tesla vehicles but all electric vehicles. These innovative partnerships demonstrate the continued forward thinking and the commitment of all involved toward progress in our community," he said.
Currently, the only two EV charging stations in Florence are located at private businesses. Compare that to Tesla’s list of charging stations, which has Decatur as the closest location, followed by three locations in and around Birmingham. Rob Carnegie, president of Florence/Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, said they are pleased to see the addition.
“Today’s traveler has high expectations. Meeting their needs through hospitality services and amenities makes a statement as to how a destination is moving with trends in the industry,” Carnegie said. “The introduction of a charging station for Florence is an example of this service-oriented philosophy and we applaud Drs. Ken Kitts and Santanu Borah, and their team at the University of North Alabama for making these improvements to keep Florence competitive in the destination marketplace.”
Florence Mayor Steve Holt echoed those sentiments, saying that he’s very pleased “Florence will be plugged in and connected now and in the future.”
“As electric vehicles increase in demand and popularity, it is important for communities to have charging facilities available and accessible to the owners and operators of these unique autos,” Holt said.
In addition, president of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, Caitlin Holland, said projects like this represent the unique community of industrious and innovative people that make up the Shoals.
“We strive to make our community one that builds upon its storied past in order to create a prosperous future,” Holland said. “To achieve that goal, we must always look to the future – the future of industry, education, healthcare, and transportation. The availability of charging facilities for the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market would be a step in that important direction.”
An announcement concerning the new chargers will take place at Reid’s Shindig in The Park event, located at Wilson Park in Florence, Friday, Aug. 25, from 4 -8 p.m. The event is open to the public.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA
The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals. UNA also operates a renowned collegiate athletic program in NCAA Division II's Gulf South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age or national origin.