City’s EV Charging Infrastructure efforts gets major boost from Biden Administration

• City & SEMCOG awarded $15M federal grant to install EV fast chargers in and around Detroit
• In addition to recent $23M federal grant and City ARPA funds being invested in EV charging
• Detroit on track to have more than 100 high-speed charging stations across 40 sites by end of 2026 to support auto industry's shift toward electric vehicles

The City of Detroit, along with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), has been awarded a $15.2 million federal grant by the Biden administration for the "Detroit Charge Ahead: Clean Commute Program," Mayor Mike Duggan announced today. The new grant will support the growing production of electric vehicles in Detroit by allowing the city, as well as nearby suburban communities, to install a network of high-speed EV charging stations.

The grant was announced Friday by the Federal Highway Administration as part of $635 million in grants distributed nationally to install 11,500 EV charging ports and alternative fueling infrastructure across the country. The funding was made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Combined with a similar $23.4 million grant awarded to the City of Detroit received last year, as well as City general funds and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the City will be installing more than 100 high-speed EV charging stations across 40 locations. Installation of the first stations is expected to take place this spring. All 100+ chargers will be installed over the next two to three years.

"Electric vehicles are the future of the auto industry and Detroit is going to support that shift by making sure we have a network of safe, convenient and easy to find high speed charging stations for people to use," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "These stations will be along major corridors and at major business centers and multi-family housing and will be as easily identifiable as any Project Green Light business. We are deeply appreciative to the Biden administration for its support."

The joint City/SEMCOG grant will used to position Southeast Michigan as a leader in sustainable transportation, while reducing pollution, promoting EV usage, and expanding clean, accessible multimodal options for local communities. The City will install publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure along highly traveled corridors, where it has already begun partnering with local businesses. The program as a whole will prioritize sites with high multi-family housing density and access to transit amenities such as SMART Park n' Ride and carpool lots.

As part of the Detroit Climate Strategy, the city is prioritizing efforts to increase sustainable mobility. Currently, most motorized transportation options rely on fossil fuels, which emit greenhouse gases (GHGs). Vehicles and buildings are the main contributors of energy-related emissions, and increased EV access fits within the City's strategy to reduce emissions.

"This is an opportunity to further our goal of making clean transportation solutions accessible to all Detroiters," said Tim Slusser, Chief of Mobility Innovation for the City of Detroit. "Having convenient access to EV charging infrastructure will encourage adoption of zero emission vehicles, many of which are built right here in Detroit, by Detroiters."

Citywide efforts for sustainable mobility include improving public transit, prioritizing walking and biking, and encouraging the adoption of EVs. Installing a comprehensive network of public EV chargers will provide greater accessibility to clean transportation options, aligning with Detroit's goal of reducing transportation-related emissions and promoting a healthier environment.

The EV charging projects will invest in workforce development by offering training programs and creating local jobs through partnerships with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union.

About the City of Detroit's Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI):

The Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) exists to help the City of Detroit navigate the rapidly changing transportation and mobility industries. Transportation and mobility are essential for both people and businesses and Detroit's automotive heritage provides an unparalleled opportunity to work with industry to innovate and define their future.

OMI will lead mobility advancement efforts on behalf of the City of Detroit and collaborate with industry, academia, philanthropy, and local, state and federal government. By centering residents in every step of the process, OMI is focused on leveraging mobility as a pathway to opportunity in Detroit.

For additional information about OMI, please visit https://detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/office-mobility-innovation or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube and Instagra