Summary
- Miriam Stefan, a sophomore at the Keck School of Medicine, faces challenges finding an EV charging port in USC’s Shrine Parking Structure due to increased demand this semester
- New parking rules for EV drivers at USC require them to choose a primary location to park and charge their vehicles, with exceptions for certain structures
- EV drivers can apply for a discounted parking rate for driving an electric vehicle, but must provide proof of EV ownership
- USC parking garages were not built to accommodate the demands of newer charging ports, limiting the ability to expand infrastructure to meet growing electric vehicle needs
- The city of Los Angeles is pushing transportation initiatives in preparation for the 2028 Olympics, which could drive change and improvements in the EV community at USC and UCLA
Article
Miriam Stefan, a sophomore at the Keck School of Medicine, is facing increased competition for EV charging ports at USC’s Shrine Parking Structure as the demand for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure grows. Changes to the EV program are being implemented this fall to accommodate the increasing number of EV drivers on campus. David Donovan, Associate Director of USC Transportation, has overseen the EV program since its inception a decade ago and has noted the significant growth in demand for electric vehicles and charging ports on campus.
Under the new parking rules for EV drivers, they must now choose a primary location to park and can apply for a discounted Cardinal tier parking rate for driving an electric vehicle. EV drivers must provide proof of EV ownership to qualify for the discounted rate. Once EV drivers finish charging their vehicle at any available port on campus, they must return to their designated structure. Exceptions to this rule include USC Village and HSC’s Valley Lot, which have a large number of chargers available for use.
Matthew Kahn, a provost professor of economics at USC Dornsife, drives an electric vehicle but chooses to use public transportation to avoid ‘range anxiety.’ He acknowledges the demand for more charging stations on campus but highlights the challenges of upgrading old buildings to accommodate the necessary infrastructure. USC parking garages were built long before the prevalence of electric vehicles, making it difficult to retrofit them to support newer charging ports. The university has focused on expanding charging infrastructure in new construction projects since 2017.
Donovan explains that USC is working towards electrification initiatives across campus infrastructure but acknowledges that they are still ‘horribly behind’ in terms of their goals. He anticipates that the city of Los Angeles will push transportation initiatives in preparation for the 2028 Olympics, which could drive further changes in the EV community. Centralizing EV operations under a singular structure could help manage the demand for electric vehicles and lead to cost advantages as production grows. The university has made recent additions of charging ports in parking structures like the Downey Parking Structure and continues to explore ways to expand EV infrastructure on campus.
In conclusion, the increased demand for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure is driving changes to the EV program at USC. EV drivers must now adhere to new parking rules that require them to choose a primary location and qualify for a discounted parking rate for driving an electric vehicle. Challenges remain in upgrading old buildings to accommodate new charging infrastructure, but the university is working towards electrification initiatives on campus. The upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles are expected to drive further changes in the EV community and push for advancements in electric transportation.
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