February 10, 2022
Environmental Friendly Car Charging Stations Added
Team of staff members and residents helping the environment
Kennett Square – Kendal~Crosslands Communities embraces its deeply felt responsibility to be concerned about the earth’s resources with appropriate conservation initiatives. They strive to conduct all their activities in an ecologically sound and socially responsible manner. One of their newest projects is adding electric vehicle charging stations near the community center at both Kendal at Longwood and Crosslands. “We’re installing two Level II car charging stations at both campuses to be able to charge four vehicles at a time,” said Seth Beaver, Senior Director for Resident and Community Affairs and Capital Projects for Kendal-Crosslands Communities. “More residents are purchasing electric vehicles, such as Charles, a resident at our Kendal at Longwood campus. “Electric outlets at his cottage parking space provide slower charging at a Level I. These new stations will support residents and visitors who need a faster charge, to get it while spending time at the community center.”, says Beaver. Research has shown that electric vehicles are better for the environment. They emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants over their life than a petrol or diesel car.
Resident Charging His Vehicle
Sustainability is at the forefront of the staff, residents, and board’s minds as they undertake any project. The Kendal Energy Committee came up with the plan for charging stations, and one of their staff electricians, Rob Truslow, led the initiative. “As leaders, we were excited to get behind the project that involved both our residents and staff, and we also were awarded grants to help fund these projects,” said Beaver. The charging stations’ costs were defrayed in part by grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which paid 50% of the costs. “We’re able to charge just $0.30 per kilowatt-hour and recharge a vehicle in about 2 hours from the new stations,” said Beaver. While the community’s campus vehicles’ fleet is not yet electric, they are always looking to see if more environmentally-friendly options are available. One of their residents looked into whether an electric-powered community bus was an option, but the cost was almost $500,000 compared to about $85,000 for a conventional vehicle. They keep watching and hoping for increased technology and more affordability of electric vehicles, particularly trucks, to add as older vehicles wear out. Beaver mentioned that Kendal~Crosslands Communities is striving to replace each new HVAC system, hot water, and other energy-using utilities on campus with more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly options. “We’re looking into the possibility of adding solar collectors into our new construction projects, and we even have a sustainability consultant helping us with the design and concepts as we embark on some new construction,” said Beaver. The new charging recently added will not only help their current residents driving electric vehicles, but help encourages others, including staff, to consider electric cars as well. “Every little bit helps and allows us to demonstrate our commitment at Kendal-Crosslands Communities to being good stewards of our environment on every level,” says Truslow.