Northwestern Expands Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure to the Chicago Campus
In a significant step towards increasing sustainable transportation options for the Northwestern community, sustainNU collaborated with Transportation & Parking Services to add electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on the Chicago campus. The four new stations, strategically placed in the Huron Superior and Erie Ontario Parking Garages, demonstrate the University’s commitment to fostering environmentally conscious practices and supporting the growing prevalence of electric vehicles.
Each individual charging station has two ports, allowing two vehicles to charge simultaneously. The two charging stations in the Huron Superior A Parking Garage (221 E Superior) are conveniently situated just past the north entrance ramp gates off of Superior Street along the east wall. The Erie Ontario Parking Garage (321 E Erie) hosts another two charging stations, located just past the Erie Street entrance in section C. These locations ensure easy access for all members of the Northwestern community, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The new chargers complement the existing 8 stations in the Evanston North and South Campus Parking Garages.
Charging Policy:
To facilitate fair usage and ensure accessibility for all, Northwestern offers three hours of free charging. After three hours, vehicle owners are required to remove their cars from the charger and the designated parking space to allow others to charge. Failure to do so will result in a fee of $3.25 per hour, automatically charged to the electric vehicle owner via ChargePoint. Visit the Parking and Transportation page for details on Northwestern’s EV charging policy.
How to Use the Charging Stations:
Using the charging stations is simple. Users can create a free ChargePoint account online or through the app. Once registered, charging can be initiated using a smartphone, the ChargePoint app, or a free ChargePoint card. Click here for a quick and easy tutorial on initiating a charging session in one of Northwestern’s ChargePoint EV chargers. Locating an EV charger or any other sustainability feature on Northwestern’s campuses is made easy through sustainNU’s sustainability map.
This expansion aligns with Northwestern's goal of increasing access to sustainable transportation. Electric vehicles are gaining traction worldwide, reducing emissions from conventional gas vehicles. By providing charging infrastructure, Northwestern supports increased adoption of electric vehicles, contributing to a greener future.