Over 40 fast-charging locations from Traverse City to Flint to Jackson were picked this month to receive close to US$23m in federal dollars. Consumers Energy will power 25 of them, adding to the 54 fast-charging and over 230 other public locations that it already has helped install.
"Consumers Energy is powering Michigan's electric vehicle transformation by offering solutions that make EV driving convenient and affordable," said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience. "Our support for public charging is improving the EV driving experience, giving people confidence they can power up quickly and affordably anytime they hit the road in Michigan."
In the last four years, the number of public charging locations statewide has more than tripled, according to the Alternative Fuels Data Centre.
Consumers Energy provides rebates for public charging through its PowerMIDrive program, part of its commitment to meeting EV drivers' needs. Electric vehicle sales continue to accelerate in Michigan. Consumers Energy today is powering over 31,000 EVs, a number that has grown 23% from just a year ago.
Last year, Consumers Energy also kicked off an effort to promote EV charging for community and multifamily locations, meeting the needs of drivers who don't have their own house or driveway. The energy provider also is working with school districts and has pledged to provide electric vehicles to seven service organisations to help ensure Michigan's EV transformation is fair and equitable for everyone.
In all, Consumers Energy has provided incentives for over 5,600 EV chargers for homes, businesses and along roads across the Lower Peninsula.
