Considering a Greener Commute? Check Out the Triton Chargers

Hawkins joined UC San Diego two years ago as a Senior Transportation Analyst, contributing to UC San Diego’s efforts to encourage alternative modes of transportation—everything from considering rideshare dropoff locations, to assessing the safety of pedestrian crossings and making sure new developments have transportation amenities.

She has worked in alternative transportation including charging programs for more than a decade, and finds ours exceptional and exciting. “It is rare that you find an institution building out charging infrastructure, and in concert, creating a community of people who can provide input on electric vehicle use and utility,” she said. “This is a university doing what universities should do—inquire, research, see how things work. It’s not difficult to convince people at UC San Diego to think about the future, and the benefit of being at a top university means that just by coming to work every day, you are helping to support campus research with real-world data to ultimately improve and expand capacity."

Hawkins also noted there are few employers who provide a program like Triton Chargers, “If you join, you are incentivized with discounted charging throughout the campus, learn how to optimize your car and also receive gift cards for participating in research.” She drives her plug-in hybrid car to campus, commuting about 30 miles each way, “I rarely have to fill my car with gas, and I spend about $16 a month to charge my car, mostly on campus.”

Our ever-expanding network of campus chargers include two national networks, ChargePoint and PowerFlex. “Once you download the app for each provider, it is easy to track how much charging you have used,” said Hawkins. “PlugShare is another app that provides a comprehensive map of electric charging stations, but it is easy to find a charging location on our campus that could work for you.” 

Five Reasons You Should Join the Triton Chargers

• We have lots of chargers. UC San Diego has 331 Level 2 charging plugs and 13 Direct Current (DC) Fast Chargers.

• We have more on the way. UC San Diego expects to install an additional 250 chargers by the end of 2024, 16 of which are DC Fast Chargers. Learn more about UC San Diego’s EV charging expansion plans.

• We help make a greener commute more accessible in the community. The campus charging network is available to visitors and to all our campus neighbors. Campus charging also makes electric vehicle ownership accessible for the many La Jolla and University City residents that live in multifamily housing or rent their homes.

• The location is convenient and the rates are competitive. The total costs for charging and parking on campus are at or below the rates at most other community charging locations. Members of Triton Chargers benefit from an additional discount to charging rates.

• Chargers are powered by a sustainable source.  Every electron dispensed from UC San Diego electric vehicle chargers comes from a renewable source, making charging on campus a more sustainable choice than many public and home chargers.

California Clean Air Day, dedicated to taking actions essential to clean air, is a perfect time to think about greening your commute. Learn more about the campus electric vehicle program, campus charging and more at DriveElectric.ucsd.edu

Learn more about research and education at UC San Diego in: Climate Change