SEMCOG and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) recently partnered to create the State of Michigan Community EV Toolkit. This resource expands upon the Southeast Michigan EV Resource Kit and Planning Hub as an online resource for local governments to prepare for the future of Electric Vehicle (EV) deployment and adoption. For ease of use, I have compiled a page-by-page guide that outlines initiatives, resources, opportunities, and more, available on the State of Michigan Community EV Toolkit.
Home
The Home page serves as an introduction to the toolkit, providing an overview of the toolkit’s background, recent EV news, key features, and resources available.
Future EV Infrastructure
A number of existing federal, state, and regional EV initiatives can support and impact your community’s decisions related to planning for the future EV charging infrastructure. The Future EV Infrastructure webpage provides information on initiatives, including:
- The Michigan National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning Map
This interactive map shows the potential locations along interstates and US Routes designated by FHWA as EV Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) eligible for DC fast charging sites based on the NEVI criteria. - EGLE Charge Up Michigan Sites and Studies
This interactive map shows the data points of the approximate locations and quantities of EV charging stations that are still eligible for Charge Up Michigan Program funding. - Alternative Fuel Corridors
The FHWA has designated EV corridors in the State of Michigan through the past six rounds of nominations. This map outlines the latest Alternative EV Ready/Pending Corridors in Michigan. Round Seven of AFC is now open with nominations due on June 21, 2023. - Southeast Michigan EV Study and Mapping Tool
To support Southeast Michigan local governments in planning for the future EVSE network, this tool features the recently released Southeast Michigan EV Study and Mapping Tool:- The EV Study provides planning, policy, design standards, and deployment recommendations for communities in Southeast Michigan, including information on EV charging station deployment best practices for local governments. This guide also has information on how to integrate stakeholder engagement into EVSE deployment, as well as details of potential EVSE initiatives and partnerships local governments could pursue that align with stakeholders’ needs and interests.
- The Southeast Michigan EV Mapping Tool illustrates recommended EV charging infrastructure locations, capacity, and charger type to meet forecasted EV adoption demand. Information from this Mapping Tool empowers local governments to work with stakeholders, such as charging station developers, to deploy the charging network needed to support future EV adoption in their community. When applying for Federal programs such as the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant program, communities can utilize the data and analysis from the Southeast Michigan EV Mapping Tool to support their applications.
As part of the Southeast Michigan EV Study Phase II, SEMCOG will be organizing a series of Roundtable discussions in the upcoming months. These sessions will be specifically designed for local governments and will focus on providing guidance on effectively utilizing the EV Study and Mapping Tool mentioned earlier.
- Socioeconomic & Equity Areas (Justice40)
Equity considerations are crucial to the deployment of future EV charging infrastructure to ensure that the benefits of clean transportation are accessible to all communities. This interactive map includes the EV charging Justice40 census tracts, also known as the DOE/DOT Interim Guidance Disadvantaged Communities (DAC), identifies census tracts where the Median Household Income is below the regional average, as well as the Transportation Disadvantage Census Tracts. These equity data become particularly important when applying for Federal EV funding under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), including the NEVI and CFI programs.
Funding Opportunities
Funding for EVs is critical for local communities, as EVs and EV charging infrastructure can be costly to purchase and install. Whether your community is thinking about planning for public EV charging infrastructure, purchasing and installing EV charging stations, or converting your (light-, medium-, and heavy-duty) fleet including code enforcement, school bus, or transit bus to electric, this webpage provides a list of potential and available federal, State, private, and regional funding opportunities, which include:
- EV Charging Infrastructure Planning includes regional programs, such as SEMCOG’s annual Planning Assistance Program. This program prioritizes multi-community and regionally impactful planning projects related to topics of regional significance, including Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning.
- EV Charging Infrastructure purchase and installation includes a Federal program, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant, with applications due June 13, 2023.
- EV purchase/lease includes a Federal Program, Energy Efficiency, and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).
Maps and Data Resources
Highlighting the importance of data, some interactive tools are available to explore, including the State of Michigan Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Real-Time Dashboard. This dashboard allows users to view a snapshot of the existing EV charging locations by region, based on the Michigan Association of Regions (MAR) classification, as well as by county and community. As of today, in the Southeast Michigan Region, the top three counties for current charging locations are Wayne County with 210 public and private charging locations; Oakland County (175); and Washtenaw County (107).
According to OFME, Michigan will need approximately 10,000 DCFC and 90,000 Level 2 chargers by 2030 to support 2 million EVs. The Real-Time EV Charging Locator tool indicates the current number as of May 2023 is about 1,230 Level 2 and DC Fast Charging locations. This page also includes data on MI 2022 EV registration. Based on this data, Electric Vehicles (PHEV and BEV) made up 0.40% (about 32,500) of vehicle registrations in Michigan.
Community EV Readiness
Information on Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) planning tools, as well as key local considerations for EV Infrastructure including ADA Accessibility considerations, EVSE ownership models, and equity considerations can be accessed. This page also features a map of all Michigan communities that have adopted ordinances or policies related to EV infrastructure. Users can access the EV ordinances by clicking on the highlighted communities.
Fleet Electrification
Developed through the Smart Cities and Community Fleet Collaborative (SC2FC), one of the employer-led collaboratives under EV Jobs Academy, resources are highlighted under the Community Fleet Electrification. These include events and trainings such as an upcoming Community EV Fleet Expo/Ride and Drive in August 2023; Fleet Electrification Consulting Services offered by utility providers (DTE, and Consumers Energy) and non-profit organizations (Michigan Clean Cities, Electrification Coalition); as well as Fleet Electrification and EV Charging Infrastructure Training Programs by EV Jobs Academy and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP). There is also a series of recorded educational workshops, webinars, and roundtables.
Case Studies
Local EV case studies encompass information on the City of Sterling Heights EV Charging Station Master Plan, the Canton Township EV study, as well as Fleet electrification approaches from the City of Ann Arbor and the City of Ferndale.
EV 101
Providing a single location to reference key terms, necessary information, and visualizations on different Electric Vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, general information on priority locations for EV charging infrastructure, and transportation electrification benefits are provided for reference.
EV News
You can find information on the latest EV-related news at the Federal, State, and Regional levels. Recent updates include:
- Federal: The deadline for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program has been extended through June 13, 2023.
- Additionally, the Round 7 Request for Nominations for Alternative Fuel Corridors designations is now open through June 21, 2023.
- State: The State released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Michigan National Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (NEVI). The application period closes on June 6, 2023.
Additional Resources and Feedback
The last two pages of the State Community EV Toolkit provide information on previous educational opportunities. An example includes the recent SEMCOG Roundtable on the CFI program, as well as EV articles and FAQs. The Feedback page is to share your questions, comments, and recommendations related to this dynamic resource.
SEMCOG, in partnership with OFME, is committed to updating and expanding this Toolkit as emerging issues and changes arise in technology, the market, grant programs, laws and regulations, and state and federal policies. Also, updates will be implemented to address requests, recommendations, and needs from communities, organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders.
Questions? Contact Beheshteh Makari at [email protected], Planner, SEMCOG Economic and Community Vitality.
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