Entergy Corp., an integrated energy utility engaged primarily in electric-power production and retail distribution operations, announced it is working with Coulomb Technologies to fund and donate 16 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at college campuses in and around Entergy’s service area in the southern United States.

The first two Entergy-funded charging stations were unveiled during a special event at Louisiana State University (LSU) as Entergy and LSU launched one of the state’s first major forays into the EV market. The event featured Dr. Michael Martin, LSU Chancellor; Bill Mohl, president and chief executive officer, Entergy Louisiana LLC and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana LLC; and Allan G. Pulsipher, executive director, LSU Center for Energy Studies.

“Electric vehicles are gaining widespread attention and being embraced as an important technology solution for the nation’s energy future. We know that the infrastructure must be in place to support the evolution of the technology, and we hope Entergy’s donation of EV chargers to LSU will help start that process for the southern region,” Mohl said. “This program is part of our deeper commitment to support technologies that foster environmental sustainability and provide for clean, efficient and affordable power for today and tomorrow.”

The charging stations were donated to LSU through a $160,000 grant by Entergy’s Environmental Initiatives Fund. Entergy is currently working with other universities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to donate additional EV charging stations throughout the region.

The LSU charging EV stations, which are free for all LSU faculty and staff members and students to use, are among the first in the nation to be installed on a university campus to provide free charges to EV owners and for research purposes.

“Collecting usage data will allow Entergy and LSU to conduct critical research about EV chargers,” said Brent Dorsey, director of corporate environmental programs, Entergy. “The goal is to determine the impacts and opportunities of EV charging, including length to charge, consumer charging profiles, time of day for charging, impacts on electric facilities and other consumer behavior and preferences.”
The charging stations were manufactured by Coulomb Technologies and are part of Coulomb’s ChargePoint Network. Coulomb specializes in EV charging systems and operates in 14 countries.

Entergy’s Environmental Initiatives Fund was established as a mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovative, promising projects and is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to seek sustainable environmental solutions to its business.