NEW VAN READY FOR ‘GREENER’ PASTURES
The zero emissions transport van joins the 30 new charging stations as the campus hopes to go carbon free by 2029
Cal Maritime’s official colors are navy and gold, but it seems as if the university is doing its best to go green.
The school cut the ribbon on introducing the new zero emission “Keelhaulers” transport van on Monday. The 10-seat van features 86 kWhs of battery capacity with a range of 102-137 miles. The vehicle can be charged in three hours by a 25 kW DC fast charger located next to the university’s upper residence hall, Maritime North, one of main stops on its route.
Fully owned by Cal Maritime, the new van was partially funded by Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Solano Transportation
Authority (STA), and Cal Maritime’s Class of 76. It replaces a previously leased gasoline bus.
The van is a big welcome addition for a university hoping to have a carbon-free campus by 2029.
“Getting a new vehicle at Cal Maritime may not seem that significant, but today is different,”
Cal Maritime President Thomas Cropper said at a Monday ceremony. “This vehicle means a lot more than just ‘Hey, we just got a new shuttle at Cal Maritime.’ First it’s the culmination of 18 months of effort — an effort by dedicated partners committed to reducing the fossil fuel conditions in the Bay Area. They put their money and they put their hearts into creating something great for our cadets and our campus.
“Second, our faculty and our cadets participated in real world studies and practical engineering management decisions to move this through the home stretch,” Cropper continued. “So as I often say, things go right at Cal Maritime when we get the Cal Maritime cadets involved.”
The shuttle will be used on campus for transporting students from residence halls to central campus, for off- campus shopping and student activities, as well as for transportation to local athletic competitions. During COVID-19, the van will remain on campus and will only seat 4-5 people at a time instead of 10 due to coronavirus restrictions.
“This green, clean vehicle is a welcome addition to Cal Maritime,” Cropper said, who officiated at the ribboncutting event. “Air quality is top of mind for all of us in Solano County and throughout California. Our transition to electric transportation represents sure progress in achieving clean air and reducing our dependency on fossil fuel — while lowering costs at the same time.”
Cal Maritime’s Director of Energy and Sustainability Sheikh Nayeem, who was in charge of the project, underscored both its collaborative nature and academic value.
“This has been a team effort,” Nayeem said. “Our industry partners, local officials, faculty, staff, students and alumni all worked together to provide an environmentally friendly solution to our transportation needs. Our new “Keelhauler van” is a visible sign of Cal Maritime’s commitment to sustainability, both in our practices and in our curriculum.
“It’s a great feeling to see this (points at the van, people attending the ceremony) and something I’ve been looking forward to for a while,” Nayeem continued.
Nayeem also discussed the school’s 30 new charging stations, which can be found near the school’s administrative building.
“Those went up over the summer and they are about 11 times faster than an average charging station,” Nayeem said. “We had a great partnership on that between Cal Maritime and PG&E. The stations are for all faculty, students and visitors. ChargePoint, Inc. is the company we used and the stations are a little different and a little more advanced with the charging style. All you need to do is scan your iPhone.”
Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan was in attendance, joined by Monica Brown, Rozzana Verder-Aliga and Mel Orpilla, who was representing and U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson. Terry Scholl from Lighting Systems was also on hand.
“I’m absolutely impressed with electrical vehicles,” said Sampayan. “As we spoke I asked some “techie” questions because I’m into these things and the answers you gave were so spot on. Right down to the balance of the vehicle, arrangement of the batteries, how they’re laid out, the interior, everything. Spot on.”
The project has also served as internship opportunity to students, providing exposure to various aspects of the burgeoning electric vehicle industry, including its economic, environmental, and engineering aspects.
The vehicle, a Ford Transit 350HD, was modified to be fully electric by Lightning Systems, Inc. in Loveland, Colorado. The van was upfitted to meet ADA requirements by NorCal Vans of Chico. The charger, also sold by Lightning Systems, was installed by Otto Construction.
Cutting the ribbon with the large scissors was junior mechanical engineer, Kenny Shin, who also gave a brief speech at the event.
“It was a great opportunity to be with this team with the rest of the cadets on this project,” Shin said. “We learned a lot about how going green is better for the world.”