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Luther College first in Upper Midwest to purchase hybrid automobiles for college motor vehicle fleet
Luther College President Richard Torgerson, far right, accepts the keys for two new Honda Civic Hybrid four-door sedans from Chris Schneider, owner of Honda Motorwerks, La Crosse, Wis. Luther College purchased the two Honda Civic Hybrids Nov. 9, becoming the first college or university in the Upper Midwest to add hybrid passenger automobiles to its vehicle fleet. Other Luther officials attending the event to celebrate Luther?s first hybrid automobiles were (left to right) Cassie Peterson, a Luther junior from Park Rapids, Minn., co-president of the Luther Chapter of APO service organization, the first group that will use the hybrid automobiles; Jon Jensen, professor of professor of philosophy and environmental studies, and Jim Martin-Schramm, professor of religion, who headed the college?s hybrid vehicle research project; and Rich Tenneson, director of facilities services and manager of the college?s vehicle fleet. Luther Photo by Aaron Lurth.
DECORAH, Iowa ? Luther College added two Honda Civic Hybrid four-door sedans to its fleet of college vehicles on Tuesday, Nov. 9, becoming the first college or university in the Upper Midwest states to add a hybrid passenger automobile to its vehicle fleet. "Luther?s purchase of these two hybrid automobiles is part of the college?s commitment to environmental stewardship," said Luther President Richard Torgerson. "Energy conservation is one of the great challenges our country must address in the coming decade, and Luther wants to be a leader in that effort."
Chris Schneider, owner of Honda Motorwerks in La Crosse, Wis., delivered the two vehicles to campus. Schneider said the automobiles are the first purchased by a college in the Upper Midwest to the knowledge of the Honda America corporation. Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., which has one Honda Civic Hybrid, is the only other college to report purchase of a hybrid passenger vehicle.
Luther purchased the vehicles after a months-long study of the efficiency and reliability of hybrid vehicles. Rich Tenneson, director of facilities services and manager of the college?s vehicle fleet, said the Honda Civic Hybrid emerged as the best-suited passenger car for the college?s needs, based on reliability record, maintenance requirements, resale value, ease of operation, fuel mileage cost and other factors.
The hybrid automobiles seamlessly pair a highly fuel-efficient gasoline engine with a lightweight, high-output electric motor. The electric motor is powered by a battery pack. The battery pack is recharged by a generator that operates when the vehicle is in motion. No "plug-in" is required for recharging.
The automobile?s gasoline engine and electric motor work in conjunction, requiring no special driver functions or attention beyond normal motor vehicle operation procedures. The Honda Civic Hybrid sedan?s fuel efficiency rating is 48 miles per gallon for city driving and 47 miles per gallon for highway driving. The cost of vehicle operation over five years is projected to be 16.9 cents per mile.
Each of the two vehicles cost about $20,500. That price is $2,300 more than a standard-engine Honda Civic sedan. The lower cost of operation is expected to offset the higher purchase price over the next 4-5 years, based on a typical 20,000 miles-per-year use rate for the college?s passenger automobiles.
In addition to the fuel savings, the automobiles are also more ?environmentally friendly? because of lower exhaust emissions. Honda Motorwerks owner Schneider said the Civic Hybrid is a ULEV (ultra low emission vehicle). Compared to the 2000 model automobiles the Civic will replace in the college?s passenger car fleet, the Civic emits 84 percent fewer hydrocarbons in tailpipe exhaust, Schneider said.
Research related to the college?s purchase of the two Honda Civic Hybrid automobiles was directed by Jon Jensen, professor of philosophy and environmental studies, and Jim Martin-Schramm, professor of religion, in conjunction with Luther senior, Erik Olson.
"These hybrids are as much about education as transportation," said Jensen. "Hybrids make sense both economically and environmentally, and it was the student research that demonstrated this. Now faculty, staff, and students at Luther will learn about energy conservation and alternative technologies while going about their daily work."
Jensen has worked in conjunction with Schneider for two years on educating Luther community people about hybrid vehicles. "I think Chris Schneider represents a new vision of business," Jensen said. "He is passionate about educating people on the need to look to the future and he sees that this is good business, too." If the two current hybrid vehicles are an efficient addition to the college?s vehicle fleet, the college expects to purchase additional hybrid automobiles in the future. Luther College is looking into alternative fuel pilot projects for other motor vehicles.
The college is also pursuing other initiatives in environmental stewardship. It recently conducted a comprehensive energy audit with Alliant Energy and is adopting measures that will reduce electricity consumption by 15 percent over the five years. Luther faculty and students are also researching the use of biodiesel, and the college is looking into alternative fuel pilot projects for other motor vehicles. The Luther Board of Regents also recently authorized further study related to establishing commercial scale wind turbines on college-owned property.
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