Not only are these golf-cart like cars earth-friendly, they are also sensitive to the severe state budget crisis that is now affecting the University because they came free of charge.

The vehicles are the latest examples of how UCSF Parking & Transportation is striving to use more alternatives to gasoline-powered cars to do its part for clean air.

UCSF Fleet Manager Peter Davis is literally and figuratively the man behind the driver's seat of these new clean-air additions to campus transportation. Davis, who has worked at UCSF for 22 years, has focused his efforts over the past five years to diversifying the campus fleet. Working in part with the UC Office of the President, he applied for these giveaways and was successful in his endeavors. In all, 19 electric vehicles were donated to UCSF in recent weeks.

The fact that the cars didn't cost a dime is especially important this year as the UC system grapples with huge cuts to its budget, of which about 25 percent comes from the state. Campuses receive no state funds for fleet operations and campus fleet operators act as independent business operators competing with local automotive manufacturers and industry suppliers.

Demonstrating the University's commitment to a better environment, the UC system is voluntarily working to comply with a 1992 federal law that requires agencies to buy vehicles that run on alternative fuels.

The motivation for moving to reduce fuel emissions is well documented. California creates nearly 7 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions and motor vehicles generate 57 percent of the carbon dioxide the state produces. Although carbon dioxide is an odorless gas that is not considered a direct threat to human health, scientists say it is the biggest culprit in an increase in global temperatures.

"One of my goals is to take advantage of various incentive programs, including applying for grants from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District," said Davis, who has received other alternative vehicles like the Toyota hybrid.

Ten of the new clean-air cars are 2002 models of THINK neighbor, produced by THINK Mobility, a company that was bought by Ford Motor Co., which jumped to meet federal guidelines for offering planet-friendly alternatives. Ford, which subsequently discontinued making the vehicles due to slow sales, was looking for a way to unload them to needy nonprofit organizations. Davis also discovered that another company, GEM, offered electric vehicles for free as well and was able to get four of its models donated to UCSF.

"I was shocked to get these, too," Davis said. "It really was a coup." Since then, Davis has worked with various campus departments, such as Facilities Management, Millberry Programs & Services and Campus Housing, to assign the vehicles for various uses. They are all now allocated and are buzzing almost silently around several campus sites.

"Everybody has a need for them at Mission Bay," Davis noted. "We will use them to help shuttle people from the temporary surface parking lots to Genentech Hall. We can also use them here on Parnassus to take people to their cars if they get lost or drive them to a mechanic if they have a dead battery."

During a recent test drive around the Parnassus campus, Davis hopped in the four-passenger vehicle, donned a seatbelt and accelerated to a speed not exceeding 35 miles per hour.

"They can run on any city street and they do not produce any emissions so you can drive them indoors if you want," Davis said.

Surprisingly, the little car sans side doors and windows came with features like drink holders and a beeper when put in reverse.

Battery charging is simple. A cord plugs directly into a 120-volt AC outlet and connects to a charge inlet located below and to the left of the steering wheel. It takes about eight to 10 hours to replenish a dead battery.

Cleaning the vehicle is a snap, too. And as if it were not self-evident, the owner's manual warns that the electric cars should not be taken into an automatic car wash.

Source: Lisa Cisneros

Last updated January 28, 2005

Electric vehicle

The Ford THINK is part of the new UCSF fleet.