New Report Highlights Clean Transportation's
Growth in Michigan
JACKSON,
Mich., July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers
Energy expects to power 1,500 new fast charging locations for
electric vehicles by the end of the decade, a huge expansion in
public charging that highlights still-strong EV growth and a
bright future for clean transportation in Michigan.
The forecast is part of Consumers Energy's Transportation
Electrification Plan that it is filing with state regulators. In
the report, the energy provider shared successes in residential and
business EV programs, vehicle charging at night that helps the
electric grid – and offered a plan for new rebates for
battery-powered public EV chargers.
"Despite some of the naysayers in the news lately, the trends in
EV growth are unmistakable. EV numbers in Michigan have tripled since the end of 2020,
and we're seeing strong signs growth will continue," said
Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy's
vice president of customer experience.
"We want you to think about Consumers Energy when you're buying
an EV. We should be your next call to make your EV experience
convenient and affordable. We are a one-stop shop for EV drivers,
while we work more and more with Michigan businesses to build out charging
locations and support more EVs taking to the road."
Consumers Energy today has provided over 135 rebates for
locations for public fast chargers that can fully power an EV's
battery in less than half an hour. The energy provider expects over
1,500 locations, each with four or more fast chargers, will be
built over the rest of this decade as EV numbers climb. Most EV
charging takes place overnight at home, but public locations
provide confidence for drivers as they travel long distances across
Michigan for work or pleasure.
To support that growth, Snyder said Consumers Energy will start
offering rebates next year for the next generation of fast chargers
– ones that are powered by on-site batteries. Those will allow
chargers to be installed more quickly, and they will draw power
from the electric grid overnight, the lowest-cost time, to charge
vehicles during the day when people are on the road.
Consumers Energy has actively provided solutions that support
Michigan's EV transformation,
including rebates for home and public charging through its
PowerMIDrive program and a companion program, PowerMIFleet, that
helps businesses electrify their fleets.
More recently, Consumers Energy has developed programs for
multifamily and community charging and is supporting Michigan school districts that are adding more
than 100 electric school buses. People who have questions about EVs
can also connect with an EV specialist and learn more about rebates
and programs at ConsumersEnergy.com/EV.
Snyder said the company's EV outreach has allowed Consumers
Energy to connect with Michiganders and help them charge vehicles
in ways that benefit all customers. Over 90% of Consumers Energy
customers' EV charging takes place outside of peak afternoon times,
reducing costs for everyone even if they don't drive an EV.
"We know electric vehicles are good for the planet and they're a
good experience for drivers," Snyder said. "We also know we're
taking the right steps to speed up Michigan's EV transformation in a way that
helps the grid and lowers costs for everyone. Whether you drive an
EV or not, you come out ahead."
Consumers Energy is Michigan's
largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity
to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower
Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan calls for
eliminating coal as an energy source by 2025, achieving net-zero
carbon emissions and meeting 90% of customers' energy needs through
clean sources, including wind and solar.
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to
ConsumersEnergy.com.
Check out Consumers Energy on Social
Media
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SOURCE Consumers Energy
