Tech Commits to Going Green
Michigan Tech's Husky Motors Services plans to go totally hybrid—one vehicle at a time. The benefits are not only environmental, but save the University money.
We're not talking about plug-in vehicles; rather, they are "dual-powered"—part-gas, part-electric. They employ what the industry calls "regenerative braking"—a system that captures the energy of braking and sends it to the battery pack for continual recharging. The batteries run the vehicles up to 40 miles per hour; then, when more power is needed, the gas component kicks in.
Besides being lean on gas, some can use alternative fuels such as E85, and all of these vehicles are quieter.
Currently eight of nine Admissions regional managers drive Ford Hybrid Escapes. They were the first to go green in 2008.
Ali Carter, Director Admissions/Recruitment
It was my first time driving a hybrid and I was really impressed! The meeting I attended for this particular trip was with admission directors from the fifteen public universities in Michigan. I think we were the only school that had a hybrid at the meeting. It made me feel really proud of the University for moving in that direction. I'd certainly request a hybrid for future trips.
To date, 20 percent of our fleet have hybrid technology. By the year 2013, 100 percent of our sedans will be green.
Eric Halonen, Director Major & Planned Giving
On a recent trip, Dan Rivard '59, one of Michigan Tech's major contributors and a retired top Ford executive, was excited to see that I was driving a new Ford hybrid product and wanted to take it for a drive. Dan not only was proud of his former employer for producing such a responsive and seamless hybrid, but he was equally proud that his alma mater had incorporated these highly fuel-efficient vehicles in its fleet.
Michigan Tech wants to be a leader by example for going green, and we're off to a good start. For more information on our green fleet, contact fleetservices@mtu.edu.