In another step towards going green, President Gary Ransdell became the first person in Bowling Green to lease a Chevrolet Volt as of Friday.

“We at WKU are constantly looking for ways to be more energy efficient and reduce our carbon footprint,” Ransdell said in a WKU press release.

The Volt is capable of providing gas-free electric driving for typical daily commuting and has a total driving range of up to 379 miles. The Volt can drive gas-free for the first 35 miles using the battery. When the battery runs low,  the gasoline engine kicks in, according to the press release.

Ransdell said the Volt was ideal for his daily commute to campus and that he likes driving an American-made vehicle.

“I believe in setting an example and when I had the opportunity to lease an electric car with an extended range, I thought this would be a great way to show my commitment to our planet,” Ransdell said in the release.

In 2010 and 2011, WKU was named to the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges, and has also been named a Tree Campus USA.

In the press release, Ransdell said energy consumption at WKU has decreased 15 percent since 2005 despite campus growth.