Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a partnership with non-profit organization Adopt-a-Charger and EV maker Rivian for the installation of approximately 15 EV charging sites at state parks and a fish hatchery over the next few years.
Local officials and representatives from the two organizations celebrated the unveiling of four Rivian Waypoint chargers at the 142-acre state park in Ottawa County.
Under the deal with the state, Rivian will provide open-network Level 2 Rivian Waypoints chargers to the state at no cost. Adopt a Charger will provide the required sponsorship, technical and marketing support for the operation of the chargers. Electric transmission firm ITC will provide funding for the electrical use for two years and Consumers Energy will provide funding for upgrades through its Power MI Drive program.
“We applaud the state for continuing to adopt policies that keep Michigan at the forefront of innovative electric mobility which is why we’re proud to take our collaboration with the state up a notch today at Holland State Park,” said Chris Nevers, Senior Director of Public Policy at Rivian. “Our state parks charging program is how we come together with our partners to offer a solution to EV-charging gaps. We’re making this investment because we believe that exploring the natural world should be possible without contributing to local air pollution, climate change, or damaging the environment.”
The first phase of the project will involve installation of approximately 30 chargers from Warren Dunes State Park in the southwest corner of the Lower Peninsula, north along the Lake Michigan “gold coast” and additional points inland. State parks in the Upper Peninsula will be covered in the second phase, which is expected to take place in 2023.
The list of installations scheduled for this year include:
· 2 chargers at Warren Dunes (Berrien County), P.J. Hoffmaster (Muskegon County), Charles Mears (Oceana County), Ludington (Mason County), Orchard Beach (Manistee County), Leelanau (Leelanau County), Young (Charlevoix County), Petoskey (Emmet County), Wilderness (Emmet County) and Interlochen (Grand Traverse County) state parks
· 4 chargers at Holland and Grand Haven state parks in Ottawa County
· 2 chargers at the Oden State Fish Hatchery in Emmet County
In the subsequent years, installations are expected to take place at the Palms Book State Park (Schoolcraft County) and Fayette Historic State Park (Delta County).
The installations will provide convenient access to EV chargers to residents and travellers and may attract new leisure travellers to the state.
