The University of Notre Dame has purchased four high-efficiency Smart Cars that are being used by the University’s Mail Services and Department of Development staff located in Eddy Street Commons.
“We just got our Smart Car and we’re very excited,” said Carol Denney, manager of campus mail distribution. “We’re going to use it for the routes that go over to Eddy Street Commons, whereas before we had to use a van to cross Angela Blvd.”
“We picked ours up this week and have been very pleased thus far,” said Micki Kidder, assistant vice president for development. “Because golf carts are not allowed to cross Angela Blvd., the Smart Cars will provide a quick, easy and environmentally friendly alternative for our staff to travel between campus and Eddy Street Commons. We are thrilled to support the University’s sustainability efforts and provide our employees with an effective mode of transportation.”
The Smart Car is one of the most economical cars on U.S. roads today, with an average of 33 miles per gallon for city driving and 41 miles per gallon on the highway. It also is classified as an ultra-low emissions vehicle. For the last several years, Transportation Services has been working to improve the fuel efficiency of the University fleet by purchasing hybrid cars and electric golf carts, while retiring old and inefficient vehicles. The Smart Cars will help to continue that trend by further raising the fleet’s average fuel efficiency.
In celebration of this partnership, the Office of Sustainability will host Smart Car on the Irish Green Friday (Oct. 29) from 4 to 6 p.m. Smart Car will have a 40-foot interactive trailer on display to teach visitors about the vehicles.
Contact: Erin Hafner, Office of Sustainability, ehafner@nd.edu