As electric vehicle demand grows in Michigan, a new $5 million program will expand charging station access to places like apartments and condos.
The program was launched by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to support installation of EV chargers at multifamily properties.
Jane McCurry, executive director of the nonprofit Clean Fuels Michigan, said her group and the Michigan Clean Fuels Institute are doing what they can to help property owners move forward with the plan.
“(We) released a guide to support multifamily property managers in understanding why they should invest in EV chargers and answer some common questions about what installing chargers entails for them,” McCurry explained.
McCurry pointed out the guide includes information on topics like how to assess parking and electrical service needs, to navigating permits and legal considerations. Surveys show 58% of renters would pay more for housing with EV charging access.
Last summer, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved a $30 million one-time investment for clean fuel and charging infrastructure. The funds will support grants for EV charging stations and hydrogen fueling, with at least 40% directed to disadvantaged communities.
McCurry emphasized the importance of convenient access to EV charging hubs.
“One in 10 vehicles being sold in the U.S. is an EV today, and we know that about one in four people in Michigan live in multifamily homes,” McCurry reported. “Since at-home overnight charging is such a cornerstone of driving an electric vehicle, we need to make sure that folks have access to charging.”
Michigan has set a goal of deploying 100,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030.
