$900,000 will go towards electric vehicle infrastructure on Lake Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has allocated a total of $905,567 to further develop the Lake Michigan Circuit, a project to build electric vehicle infrastructure around Lake Michigan.

The Lake Michigan Circuit is an initiative to promote coastal tourism in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana by creating a scenic route around the 1,100-mile (1,770-kilometer) long Lake Michigan shoreline with reliable charging stations for electric vehicles.

The award will fund the installation of direct charging/fast charging stations and Level 2 chargers along Michigan’s west coast.

“Michigans who have made the switch to electric vehicles need to know that easily accessible and reliable charging stations are available to them while they enjoy all our state has to offer,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “The Lake Michigan Circuit allows travelers to experience Lake Michigan and visit our coastal communities and attractions along and around the route. This is not only a step toward expanding our charging infrastructure, but also an opportunity to offer the best new road trip for electric vehicle owners across the country.”

This award comes after the state announced its 2025 budget, which includes over $30 million to expand the state’s electric vehicle charging network and support hydrogen refueling, inductive charging and fleet conversion.

Here is a breakdown of where the funds are going:

• Adelaide Point Qualified Opportunity Zone Business, Muskegon: $70,000 for a 200-kilowatt DCFC ($113,245 self-financed).
• Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn, Traverse City: $5,000 for a 7.2 kW Level 2 charger ($18,317 matching funds).
• Cloverland Electric Cooperative:
  • Manistique: $96,285 for a 180 kW DCFC ($60,800 in matching financing).
  • St. Ignace: $96,285 for a 180 kW DCFC ($58,733 self-financed).
• City of Frankfurt: $5,000 for a 19.9 kW Level 2 charger ($22,000 equivalent financing).
• City of Manistee: $10,000 for two 12 kW Level 2 chargers ($32,736 in matching funding), $10,000 for a second location with two 12 kW Level 2 chargers ($32,736 in matching funding), and $63,960 for a 160 kW DCFC ($128,112 in matching funding).
• Red E Recharge:
  • Bridgman: $135,831 for two 320 kW DCFCs ($272,069 self-financed).
  • Grand Haven: $57,619 for a 240 kW DCFC ($138,721 self-financed).
  • New Buffalo: Two awards of $10,000 each for two 19.2 kW Level 2 chargers ($23,630 self-funded each).
  • South Haven: $255,344 for four 320 kW DCFCs ($511,456 self-financed).
• City of South Haven: $10,000 for a 19.2 kW Level 2 charger ($23,630 matching funds).
• Universal EV:
  • Grand Haven: $60,278 for a 90 kW DCFC ($122,382 matching funds).
  • Muskegon: $4,985 for a 11.2 kW Level 2 charger ($10,125 matching financing).
  • South Haven: $4,980 for a 11.2 kW Level 2 charger ($10,110 matching).