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UGA is committed to being a statewide leader in E-mobility adoption on our campus

The University of Georgia’s Fleet Electrification Working Group has made meaningful strides in transitioning the institution’s vehicle fleet toward zero-emission transportation, including the procurement of three F-150 Lightning units and ongoing engagement through initiatives like the Future Fleet Demo Day. These efforts reflect a broader institutional commitment to reducing scope 1 emissions from fleet operations while building internal knowledge and buy-in across departments. Central to the long-term success of fleet electrification is the parallel development of robust EV charging infrastructure. Without strategically sited, reliable charging capacity, even a well-planned vehicle transition will face operational bottlenecks. Investing in charging infrastructure planning and implementation is a foundational commitment that determines whether electrification goals translate from ambition into practice.

Current Status

UGA FMD EV and Hybrid Fleet Expansion by Year CHART

Beginning in 2022 UGA’s Facilities Management Division has made a concerted effort to adopt electric and fuel efficient vehicles. By 2026 we’ve reached 35 EVs total, representing 10% of our total fleet. It all started with a mandate by our FMD AVP that “electric will be the default consideration for all new FMD vehicle purchases.” This simple directive didn’t mean that electric was required, BUT it must be considered, which initiated a process for us to begin vetting EV vehicles and ​​justifying where and why we could or could not adopt. We then started with our first large purchase of 12 EV LSVs (low speed vehicles) in 2022.​​ We also Formed a Fleet Electrification Workgroup which has become an essential element to our success moving forward. 

​Reports and Resources

Future Fleet Demo Day 2025

UGA Staff vetted 8 different EV and Hybrid Vehicles for procurement consideration in 2025. Here are the results of their feedback.

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UGA EV Public Charging Stations

This map shows the locations, pricing, and usage of UGA’s Public EV Charging

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Plug Into Georgia CASE STUDY

Fleet Electrification at UGA : An Ongoing Case Study

Carl Vinson Institute of Government compiled this fleet case study summarizing lessons learned from Facilities Management Division’s EV adoption since 2022.

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Summary of FMD’s Fleet Electrification Efforts to date

UGA’s Facilities Management Division (FMD) has been steadily building out its electric fleet, and as of 2026, 10% of its vehicles are electric — including 24 low-speed vehicles, eight EV sedans, and three electric trucks. We also have adopted 10 hybrids into our fleet. The effort fits into Georgia’s broader electric mobility push, which has attracted over $29 billion in investment and 36,000 jobs statewide. The UGA / FMD fleet electrification strategy follows a six-step process:

  1. Inventorying existing vehicles
  2. Conducting a “right size, right type” analysis
  3. Vetting and demoing vehicles (see report above)
  4. Planning charging infrastructure
  5. Setting up data systems
  6. Building EV purchases into the budget cycle.

Strategy Flow Chart

Our key advice for other institutions is to start with low-speed EVs and ensure charging infrastructure is assessed before any vehicle purchases.

The financial case for electrification is compelling. Gasoline and repairs currently make up nearly half of FMD’s “non-recoverable” facility shop expenses, but EV maintenance runs about 50% less than gas vehicle maintenance, and electricity costs $0.15–$0.17 less per mile than gasoline. FMD modeled that electrifying all 218 trucks and vans in our fleet could yield over $360,000 in annual savings — with the higher upfront cost of EVs recovering within a few years. The next phase of UGA’s effort is focused on electrifying trucks and vans, IF the automotive industry develops vehicles that meet our operational needs

Charging Infrastructure: From Single Chargers to Hubs

For much of the last four years FMD has been able to install single chargers at building locations that had adequate building panel and transformer capacity. Like most EV Fleet Adoption Transitions, there comes a point where a single charger solution will no longer meet the expanding fleet needs and an EV Charging Hub will become necessary. Fortunately the state of Georgia has created a fund to help support early adopters in navigating the challenges of installing charging hubs that benefit the public through the Make Ready Program.

Make Ready Program

UGA’s Facilities Management Division has applied for a Georgia Power – Make Ready project that will enable UGA to install our first large scale charging hub on campus. 

FMD EV Transition - Operational Findings

The following are summary findings from our Report – From the Drivers Seat: Future Fleet Demo Day, July 24, 2025, Follow-Up Survey Results & Next Steps

  • Staff openness to EVs exceeded expectations. Despite working in hands-on trades environments, survey respondents were broadly receptive to electrification — as one attendee noted, “I was impressed that attendees were not as skeptical of electric as they might have been.”
  • The Ford F-150 Lightning was the clear frontrunner, with 100% of respondents viewing it and 48% rating it a “Good Fit.” Its towing capacity, Pro Power Onboard outlet system, and overall versatility made it the strongest candidate for most Athens-area shops — though its discontinuation by Ford in December 2025 creates a short-term gap in full-size EV truck options.
  • Charging infrastructure is the single biggest barrier to adoption. Satellite facilities like Riverbend Farms and Chicopee lack charging stations, and the report recommends location-specific infrastructure assessments as a priority next step before further EV procurement.
  • Different vehicles suit different roles. The Ford Maverick hybrid emerged as the best fit for supervisors and admin staff, the E-Transit Cargo Van earned the highest proportional fit rating (63%) among trades like HVAC and Plumbing, and the GEM E4 received zero “Good Fit” votes due to durability and parts availability concerns.
  • The hands-on demo format proved highly effective at generating both actionable data and organizational buy-in, with multiple respondents requesting that this kind of stakeholder engagement be formalized as a standard part of future fleet procurement cycles.

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