COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – While one local car dealer has installed a number of fast chargers for electric vehicles, Consumers Energy says it expects to power 1,500 new fast charging locations for electric vehicles by the end of the decade.
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.
Consumers says 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.
Meantime, Cole Ford opened Branch County’s first level 3 electric vehicle charging center at the dealership last week.
General Manager Erwin Kendrick says all total four level 3 chargers and two level 2 chargers have been installed over the last several weeks in the northeast corner of the dealership at 410 East Chicago Street.
The Cole Ford previously installed two level 1 chargers on the building’s back wall for free long-term EV charging.
Level 2 chargers can take 2-3 hours for a full charge, while Level 3 direct current chargers are 15 times faster than Level 2 chargers at a rate of 3 to 20 miles per minute.
Don’t be a participant in the Democrat agenda. Electric cars are not the way of the future. It only makes you more dependent on the government. Which is exactly what they want.