Several departments have begun to use light duty electric vehicles instead of larger, gasoline powered vehicles. These vehicles are used primarily to service the "core" of campus. This area includes the Horseshoe, Gibbes Greene, the Bridge, and the College Street Brick Walk. Use of these light duty vehicles not only improves air quality, but protects the landscaped areas and brick walkways that the vehicles must cross.

One of the initial intentions of the use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles was to encourage other departments on campus and state agencies to consider and implement AFVs while increasing awareness of energy and air pollution issues among the students. The Dining Services department, Housing Maintenance, and Custodial Services use these vehicles to transport personnel, equipment and to make service calls to residence halls, academic areas, and business offices across campus. The Computer Services Division uses these vehicles to transport computers and make service calls as well. More information on electric vehicles can be found at http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/electricity.html. University Housing has information on their electric vehicles at http://www.housing.sc.edu/AFV.asp.

The vision of the University is to incorporate several initiatives that will improve our environment on campus. We have increased campus walkways, bus routes, and the number of available bike racks. Bus in-lays have been implemented to reduce traffic congestion and increase safety while accessing buses on Sumter, Pendleton, and Barnwell Streets.

Vehicle Management will also be installing an ethanol (E85) fueling facility on campus. The University fleet already consists of several "Flex Fuel" vehicles that can run on either ethanol or gasoline. Once the facility is installed, it will greatly increase our use of Alternative Fuel. More information on ethanol can be found at http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.html