Some campuses plan to install charging stations as the numbers are increasing. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are witnessing a notable increase in the presence of electric vehicles, both two and four-wheelers, within educational campuses. The academic institutions are actively encouraging their faculty members and student community to adopt eco-friendly transport solutions.
To accommodate the increasing electric vehicle usage, which is cleaner and greener, some of the campuses have installed or are in the process of installing charging facilities. Students report that electric vehicles prove cost-effective whilst enabling them to participate in environmental conservation efforts through sustainable transport solutions.
Dr B Unnikrishnan, dean of Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru, told TOI that there is an increase in the adoption of EVs, both two and four-wheelers, among faculty and students. There are also faculty members owning hybrid vehicles. While four-wheelers are mostly owned by faculty, students have two-wheelers. Due to the increase in a number of these vehicles, the campus has also installed charging stations at Mangaluru and Bejai campuses. "In the future, we also plan to install charging stations at hostels for the convenience of its inmates," said Unnikrishnan, adding that numbers would increase in the coming days.
Some campuses plan to install charging stations as the numbers are increasing. Fr Ajith B Menezes, administrator of Fr Muller Medical College and Hospital, shared that to date, around five faculty members have EV cars and a lot of students commute to college on EV two-wheelers. Besides, an EV buggy is made available for patients and their families to move around the campus. "We are mulling over installing charging points in the future," he said.
At Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Derlakatte, the institution provides electric vehicles for intra-campus transportation of students and staff. The university operates a fleet comprising EV cars, buggy and two-wheelers for this purpose. Dr M Vijayakumar, vice-chancellor of the varsity, stated that the institution actively discourages students from using personal two-wheelers within the campus. Instead, students are encouraged to utilise the EV two-wheelers available on rent for their campus commute. Whilst there are currently no EV charging stations on campus, the administration plans to install them shortly.
"At the moment, we have EV cars used for university transportation facilities and a dedicated charging point for them. However, there are no charging points available for students and faculty," said a spokesperson for Nitte (Deemed to be University).
