GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With more electric vehicles (EVs) being used in Michigan, Consumers Energy is now hoping to install more EV chargers at workplaces across the state.
Consumers Energy said that nearly three-quarters of EV drivers want the option to charge their vehicles while at work. The utility company has also received requests from businesses for EV chargers to be installed for employee use.
To help with this effort, Consumers Energy is offering a workplace EV charging program that gives businesses a $7,500 rebate for installing two or more EV chargers for employees.
“Consumers Energy is offering new approaches that will drive the growth of EVs. We’re breaking down barriers that will help get EVs into driveways at home, to fast public chargers and, now, places where we work,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience. “Employers who are looking to attract and keep good workers now have another tool that will allow them to charge at work.”
Consumers Energy said that if businesses open their EV chargers to the public, a larger rebate will be available.
Snyder said the plan to install the chargers at workplaces came amid an increase in EV usage in Michigan.
“Consumers Energy has seen the number of EVs in our communities triple in the last four years,” Snyder said. “We know people are looking more and more at clean vehicles, so we will continue to look for ways to power that interest with easy-to-use programs."
Currently, Consumers Energy estimates over 500 businesses will install EV charging by 2030. The company also plans to power more than 1,500 public charging stations by the same year.
