A contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) is converting a fleet of approximately 1,000 vehicles to electric from gasoline at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, S.C.
“We’re moving towards a zero-emissions future on the roads of the Savannah River Site for our government-owned vehicles,” Mike Budney, Savannah River manager for the EM, said in a March 14 news release. “The teamwork between the Department of Energy and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) has been great towards ensuring this task is recognized as a high priority.”
SRS is working to comply with a Biden administration executive order on catalyzing clean energy industries and jobs through federal sustainability. The site’s first phase is underway with the conversion of a light-duty vehicle fleet to electric vehicles. The executive order also specifies that gasoline powered vehicles may not be purchased for use at federal facilities after 2027.
“The first 62 electric vehicles, representing 10% of the light-duty fleet, have already been ordered through the General Services Administration and are awaiting delivery from manufacturers,” SRNS director of Site Services Donny Barfield said in the release. Barfield states light-duty transportation usually includes passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
The new EVs require multiple charging stations to be placed at specific locations across the 300-square-mile SRS. In one area, crews have installed eight fast-charging stations near administrative buildings capable of providing vehicles with a 200-mile range with a 0 - 80% charge in 30 minutes. Construction of additional stations across the site is set to begin in the near future.
“Our goal is to have the electric vehicle infrastructure in place as needed to support our 630 zero-emissions, light-duty vehicles as they are delivered, working towards fully meeting the directives within the executive order,” Barfield said in the release.
“The work accomplished at the Savannah River Site on this groundbreaking project for the complex has been impressive," he said. "It’s truly taken a team effort from multiple individuals and organizations to realize the progress we’ve seen to date.”
