Electric Vehicles
New York City is filled with accessible and sustainable travel options. Using alternative methods of transportation, like biking or public transit, to commute to Columbia’s campuses is one way to do your part to reduce emissions and help keep our neighborhoods safer, healthier, and greener. We encourage commuters to take advantage of public transportation, carpooling and vanpooling, and carbon-free transportation alternatives. If driving alone is absolutely necessary for you, transitioning to an electric vehicle is a way to make your travel more environmentally friendly.
Electric vehicles have many advantages including incredibly low operating costs. In 2019, for example, the New York City government spent between $204 and $386 maintaining each of its electric cars, compared to $1,600 spent for the average gas powered vehicle. For the average consumer, electric vehicles mitigate most of the cumbersome maintenance and fuel costs associated with internal combustion engines.
Electric vehicles encourage energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, especially when the energy used to charge your electric vehicles at home comes from renewable sources. They provide a very tangible means through which you can make your commute more environmentally friendly!
This interactive online tool shows popular electric car models graphed by their average monthly costs compared to their greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric vehicles also have a number of public health benefits. Pollutants from internal combustion engines can trigger symptoms for individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses, sometimes even contributing to premature death. These health effects are often most heavily borne by marginalized individuals in lower-income neighborhoods. Driving an electric vehicle doesn’t just help the natural environment, but it makes New York City a healthier place, especially for our neighbors who have been historically discriminated against.
The electric vehicle marketplace is growing! Purchasing an electric vehicle instead of a gas powered car is becoming increasingly more common and accessible. Doing so helps the environment, our community, and is a financially sound choice.
Introduction to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations:
There are three types of electric car charging stations in common use throughout the United States: Type 1, 2 and 3 charging stations. While all three require the use of a charging cord and plug, they vary in terms of charging speed and functionality.
Type 1 charging stations are the easiest to install. All they require is a charging cord and access to a typical household 120 volt outlet. When you buy an electric car, the company from which you bought it will provide you with a Type 1 charging cord. Type 1 ports charge between 3 and 5 miles per hour and can provide a full charge when left plugged in overnight.
Type 2 charging stations charge more quickly than Type 1 stations; instead of connecting to 120 volt outlets, they connect to 240 volt ports. That said, Type 2 charging stations charge at a rate of around 10 to 20 miles per hour. Type 2 charging ports are typically found at commercial charging stations and in commuter garages.
Type 3 charging stations, also known as Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations, are the fastest plug in charging option for electric vehicles. Using 480 volt power, DCFC stations can provide a full charge in 30-60 minutes. DCFC stations are considerably more expensive than Type 1 and 2 charging stations, and are less commonly available in public charging stations.
Columbia’s electric vehicle charging ports are only available to people who are eligible and purchase parking in those garages, except for visitors to the Lamont campus. The information below is offered to visitors of Columbia and Columbia affiliates who are seeking to EV charging options, but do not have access to Columbia’s EV charging ports.
Morningside campus area
- Riverside Church Garage: 480 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10027 (120th St. entrance), Phone: (212) 870-6736
- GMC Garage at 532 W 122nd St, New York, NY 10027, Phone: (212) 961-1075
CUIMC campus area
- Park It, 528 W 162nd Street, Phone: (212) 929-9404
- Curbside, 115 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
More electric vehicle charging resources
Learn about NYC’s curbside electric vehicle charging ports: https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/electric-vehicles.shtml#/find/nearest
Morningside campus
Below-grade parking at Morningside campus are equipped with Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations in both commuter and 24-hour parking garages. These charging stations are free for use and only available to parking permit-holders. The electric vehicle ports are ChargePoint duel ports and located in Engineering Terrace, International Affairs Building, and 560 Riverside Drive garages.
CUIMC
Electric vehicle charging at CUIMC is free of charge for permit-holders and located in the following parking areas: School of Nursing garage, 100 Haven parking garage, and the Irving Cancer Research Center garage.
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Level 2 electric vehicle charging is available at the Lamont campus for use by visitors and Columbia employees with approval to access the Lamont campus. The charging outlets are located next to Borehole and Oceanography buildings. There is a fee to charge. More information can be found at here: https://lamont.columbia.edu/campus-services/parking-visitor-policy
