Westar Energy is now a Partner in the Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge, which aims to increase the number of American employers offering workplace charging for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).
“We are proud to be an ambassador for the Department of Energy's Workplace Charging Challenge, helping drive electric vehicle adoption among employees,” said Elsie Eisenbarth, Westar Energy’s vice president of operations support. “These initiatives are designed to enhance America's energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, promoting measures to cut fuel costs for American families and businesses, and helping the United States continue to cut carbon emissions.”
Westar is leading the way toward increased electric vehicle adoption. Westar Energy is devoting at least 5 percent of its annual fleet acquisition budget to the purchase of PEVs and technologies. With almost 100 electric or hybrid vehicles in its fleet, Westar Energy is providing employees a first-hand driving experience with these advanced technologies. Almost 11 percent of Westar’s vehicles are hybrid or plug-in electric vehicles, with 8 percent being PEVs. Westar also offers 32 charging stations in employee lots and another 27 public charging stations throughout its service territory.
Westar Energy has joined several major companies in the Workplace Charging Challenge, including 3M, The Coca-Cola Company, Facebook, Ford, GE and Google.
