JACKSON, MI – A Consumers Energy rebate is allowing 92 Michigan businesses – including three in Jackson – to buy an electric vehicle charging station for customers to use.
The incoming Hackett Auto Museum, the new Christoff and Sons Floor Covering and Rose City Professional Plaza are each getting $5,000 from Consumers to install a Level 2 charger. That covers most – if not all – of the costs for the technology and installation, Consumers spokesman Brian Wheeler said.
Level 2 chargers can replenish car batteries in about two hours for drivers who average 30 to 45 miles on the road per day, per Consumers.
The company is spending $10 million in the next three years to educate the public and help develop electric vehicle infrastructure in Michigan.
The utility is giving rebates for 3,000 residential chargers, 200 public Level 2 chargers and 24 fast chargers. So far, Consumers has awarded 35 residential charger rebates and the 92 public charger rebates – including 11 in Kent County, eight in Jackson County and seven in Calhoun County.
Those interested in applying for a charge can visit Consumers’ rebate incentive site, called PowerMiDrive.
“PowerMIDrive delivers on our Triple Bottom Line commitment, making it easy for people to charge vehicles whenever they need, protecting the planet with zero-emissions vehicles and stimulating Michigan’s prosperity as new vehicles are sold,” said Brian Rich, a Consumers vice president.
Consumers also has a website to help customers compare prices of a gasoline-powered vehicle versus an electric vehicle, while PlugShare has an app and website to show where current public charging stations are.