Tufts Climate Initiative
January 12, 2006
1
Tufts Climate Initiative
Miller Hall · Tufts University · Medford MA 02155
617.627.5517 · www.tufts.edu/tci · tci@tufts.edu
Electric Vehicle Project Report
Transportation is the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions at Tufts behind
electricity and heating. Approximately 6% of the university’s carbon-dioxide emissions
result from commuting to and from campus and driving on campus. As part of its
commitment to alleviate the impact of Tufts’ emissions on the global environment, the
Tufts Climate Initiative (TCI) works with other university departments to procure and use
vehicles that produce zero or near-zero emissions. Through a partnership with Toyota
Motor Corporation established in 2002, Tufts University leases two electric vehicles that
are operated by the Mail Services Department (EV#1) and the Department of Public
Safety (EV#2). (The university also leases two other vehicles that are in service as part
of the Zipcar program, but those vehicles were not included in this performance review).
This study by the Tufts Climate Initiative has evaluated the performance of the two
electric vehicles, in order to assess the environmental and financial benefits from their
use on campus. Data on electricity consumption and mileage was gathered from the
Facilities Department, the Mail Services Department and the Department of Public
Safety. Some required data that was not available from these sources was estimated; these
estimates were based on the available data. The following is an overview of the results of
the evaluation.
Mail services EV: (EV#1)
• All six mail services operators on the Medford/Somerville campus have been trained
to drive the Toyota RAV 4 electric vehicle for mail deliveries.
• The use of electric vehicles for mail distribution is especially beneficial as electric
vehicles are better at idle when compared with conventional cars.
• EV#1 is used for normal mail delivery on campus and is driven to Bo