Campus bus service gets an EV presence with the addition of the new all-electric Maverick Shuttle to the fleet.

Funded by 80 percent contribution from the Federal Carbon Reduction Program Act, the $95,000, 12-passenger shuttle now provides on-campus stops for customers used to the older Maverick Daytime Shuttle. Cost for the bus includes a Level 2 charging device.

Other partners in the EV upgrade include the Federal Government, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Mankato Transit System, the University-supported Parking Program, and MAPO (Mankato/North Mankato Area Planning Organization).

“We’re excited to see just how robust this unit functions in all kinds of weather,” said David Cowan, Parking and Transportation Advisory Committee Chair.  He indicated that replacing the other gas-powered Red Eye Nighttime shuttles with all-electric models will depend on how well this new vehicle performs.

The Ford E-Transit Van is built primary within the United States.  Since the vehicle’s battery parts are not all manufactured within the United States, the University received a waiver of the “Buy America” portion of the law for federal financial assistance.