USF students who drive electric vehicles are complaining there aren't enough charging stations on campus.

Out of 25 registered electric cars, there are only two chargers on campus. Students like Jimmy Abbiati get to school two hours early to ensure a charger.

Without the chargers, some students wouldn't be able to make the trip back home.

To add to the problem, electric car owner and USF student John Pilz said gas powered cars are stealing electric powered spots too.

He's even seen a USF police officer parked in a spot reserved for electric vehicles.

Instead of complaining to the administration, Pilz came up with a plan. He's working with a USF professor on a proposal that will breathe new life into an old research project: USF's solar carport.

It was the nation's first 20,000 watt solar carport. Installed in 1993, it used to have the capability of charging electric vehicles using solar power. But in the years since, the school didn't keep it up. It doesn't work anymore.

Lee Stefanakos, with the university's Clean Energy Resource Center, was part of the team that created the carport.

"After a few years, interest went down. Gas prices went down. We kept it here, but moved onto other things. Now, the interest is back," said Stefanakos.

Now, Stefanakos is guiding Pilz with a proposal to bring charging stations back to the carport. It would cost $25,000 to breathe life into the old project, and add two charging stations.

If the interest grows, the school could add more if funds are approved.

The proposal could be approved by November.