Gov. Whitmer announces charging stations at state parks, starting with Holland State Park
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Editor's note: This article was updated to correct the number of charging stations planned to be installed in the initiative's first year.
PARK TWP. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited Holland State Park on Thursday to unveil two electric vehicle charging stations, the first of a number of stations to be installed at 12 state parks around Michigan and the Oden State Fish Hatchery.
Whitmer said the installation of charging stations at major state parks is a major step forward for her Lake Michigan EV Circuit initiative to create an electric vehicle-friendly route along the Lake Michigan coast, making popular summer destinations like Holland, Ludington and Traverse City accessible for travelers with EVs.
"Charging stations along the Lake Michigan Electric Vehicle Circuit will advance our rich Pure Michigan tradition of exploration and bring more tourism and jobs to communities in every region of our state," Whitmer said in remarks before unveiling the charging station.
The Level 2 Waypoints chargers at state parks were donated by Rivian, an electric vehicle maker and automotive technology company, and Rivian has agreed to operate and maintain the charging stations at no cost to the user or to the state for the first 10 years.
ITC, an electric transmission company, is providing the first two years of electricity free and Consumers Energy paid for upgrades to the electrical system at the state park to prepare for the installation.
"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," said Chris Nevers, senior director of public policy at Rivian. "Making the transition to cleaner driving is a reality that will require teamwork between Rivian, other electric vehicle manufacturers, policymakers, businesses and individuals."
Whitmer said initiatives like the state parks charging stations will help Michigan position itself as "the most electric vehicle-friendly state in the country."
Her administration has also announced it is building the country's first electrified road that will charge electric vehicles wirelessly. Indiana is testing a similar concept.
Whitmer's long-term climate plan, which aims to make the state carbon-neutral by 2050, calls for "build(ing) the infrastructure necessary to support 2 million electric vehicles on Michigan roads by 2030," and Whitmer has also proposed $2,500 rebates for Michiganders buying electric vehicles.
The investments in electric vehicle infrastructure come as gas prices sat at an average of $4.56 per gallon in Michigan Thursday, up from $3.99 a month ago.
"Certainly as we see with gas prices how tough it is for folks, a transition like this is something people can see makes sense," Whitmer told reporters after the announcement.
Asked about a proposal for summer gas tax relief passed by the Michigan Senate Thursday, Whitmer said she was "watching closely" the package's progress and indicated some tentative support for the plan. The bills would pause pause the 6 percent sales and use tax and the 27-cent-per-gallon excise tax on gas from June 15 to Sept. 15.
"I know people are struggling," Whitmer said. "Inflation, gas, it is a tough time. So I am glad they're moving forward on this, I've proposed something somewhat similar, and I'm hopeful we can find some common ground."
More: There weren't enough EV charging stations in Gaylord. Great Lakes Energy found a solution.
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Between 20 and 26 charging stations will be installed at 12 state parks in the first year of the initiative. The tentative list of locations this year includes Warren Dunes State Park, P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Charles Mears State Park, Ludington State Park, Orchard Beach State Park, Leelanau State Park, Young State Park, Petoskey State Park, Wilderness State Park, Interlochen State Park, Holland State Park, Grand Haven State Park and the Oden State Fish Hatchery.
Most of the state parks will have two charging stations; larger state parks like Holland and Grand Haven will have four.
In total, 30 chargers will be installed at 15 sites as part of the initiative.
Dan Eichinger, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, also pointed to the rooftop solar array at Holland State Park's concessions building, one of 13 solar installation projects at state parks in Michigan, as part of the same push toward environmental sustainability in his department.
"That was a project that we started a couple of years ago to beta test the conversion of our facilities over to clean renewable energy so we can lead from the front," Eichinger said. "When 36 million people come in through our front gate, we want them to see that the Department of Natural Resources takes our stewardship responsibilities seriously, not only in how we work but where we work as well."
— Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland State Park first in Michigan to get EV charging stations
