Stetson University’s Public Safety Department is going ‘green’ – replacing its SUV with a MILES Electric Vehicle to support Stetson’s commitment to environmental responsibility. The vehicle is used by the department’s sergeants, captain and director to patrol campus.

“Reducing our carbon footprint is very important to us,” said Al Allen, Stetson associate vice president for Facilities Management. “Using electric vehicles will support Stetson’s green initiatives, and we believe the electric vehicles will be good not just for the university but also as a model in our city and community.”

The electric vehicle, marked with Public Safety decals, is battery-fueled, reaching a maximum of 25 miles per hour (and, thus, separating it from hybrids). It was purchased from the California-based MILES Electric Vehicles.

MILES has an estimated battery life of 25,000 miles and has a run time of 200-240 minutes. These compact cars seat up to four people and the backseats can be folded down to provide more trunk space. They are used at more than 30 university and college campuses in the United States.

The purchase of the new electric vehicle is one of many steps that Stetson has taken to be environmentally responsible and to reduce its carbon footprint. If all goes well, Stetson may buy more electric-motor-utility vehicles for its Facilities Management Department.

Stetson has a major commitment to environmental responsibility. In April, the university placed first in paper and third in the Grand Championship during the nationwide RecycleMania 2011 competition. Over the past year, Stetson has spent $1.5 million to retrofit most of its older administrative and residential buildings with energy-efficient lighting – reducing the university’s carbon footprint by 30 percent and dramatically decreasing energy consumption. That lighting project is continuing this summer.