University asking for refund on $23,000 electric car
Officials are asking for a refund of a $23,000 electrical vehicle Central Michigan University purchased in summer 2008.
Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Steve Lawrence said the vehicle, purchased from Miles Laboratory to see the practicality of going green when gas was $4 per gallon, did not live up to the hype.
“We were interested in trying one,” Lawrence said. “But we have been disappointed with the performance of the unit.”
The vehicle’s performance was hindered by Michigan’s harsh weather. Joshua Yelsik, auto and equipment mechanic for Fleet Management, said the vehicle did not function well in the cold weather.
“A lot of the problems were mainly element-related. It was designed for gentler climates,” Yelsik said.
Director of Facility Operations Jay Kahn said the purchase was part of an attempt to go economical and green.
“We’re trying to understand sustainability,” Kahn said. “The purchase was part of a number of projects aimed at improving our sustainability. At the time, electric cars were on everyone’s mind.”
Vehicle problems
Yelsik was one of the mechanics who frequently worked on the vehicle and said the electric car just was not designed for Michigan’s climate.
“It wasn’t sealed up properly for Michigan weather. Batteries generally don’t last long in cold weather,” he said.
The battery life of the vehicle was estimated at about 80 miles on a single charge when CMU purchased the vehicle, which was supposed to allow them one full day of work before it needed recharging. Right now, workers are only getting about half a day of work out of the vehicle.
The same car also was purchased by Western Michigan University and Michigan State University, Kahn said. He said those universities had similar problems with the vehicle’s battery life and performance and returned the vehicle for a refund.
“We are currently asking the company for a refund. When it’s not able to perform its function, you have to ask the question if it’s a viable option,” Kahn said. “In colder environments batteries don’t have as much life. On most days the charge will only last until around noon.”
The university has not given up on searching for a more fuel efficient and sustainable vehicle, however. Kahn said this was only the beginning of the search.
“It’s still an early technology. Not everything is going to turn out okay the first time, but that doesn’t mean you stop trying,” Kahn said.
