Electric Vehicles
Welcome
Increasing electrified transportation in Ann Arbor is an important way our community can become more sustainable. As our electricity grid becomes cleaner, electric vehicles provide an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality. Also, electric vehicles cost less to operate and maintain than their internal combustion engine counterparts.
Learn More About EVs
Depending on how much you drive, an electric vehicle may be a great option. Learn more about how electric vehicles compare to your current vehicle with this Department of Energy calculator.
There are federal, state, and utility incentives for electric vehicles. Learn more at AFDC.energy.gov. Currently, those who purchase an electric vehicle are eligible for a federal tax credit for up to $7,500, depending on the car you purchase.
And stay tuned as the City is exploring bulk buy discounts to help bring EV ownership closer for more Ann Arborites. To stay up to date on this work, send an email to sustainability@a2gov.org and include the subject: EV bulk buy.
The IBEW/NECA, our local Electrical Workers Union, is partnering with A2ZERO on electrification readiness, and continues their campaign called “The Future is Electric.” As part of this campaign, they have been releasing informational videos to help residents know what might be involved with upgrading homes for electrification of appliances and vehicles. Watch their video on EV charging below, and find the other videos in their series here!
Find a Charger
Wondering where in town you can charge your EV? Check out this interactive map.
Traveling out of town? Here's a map from the Department of Energy for all charging stations in the U.S. and Canada.
And did you know that DTE's Charging Forward program provides a discount for installing a Level 2 charger at your home? Learn more and apply on the DTE website.
Most of the public EV chargers managed by the City are on the ChargePoint network. These chargers can be activated with the ChargePoint mobile app or a ChargePoint card. More information is available on the ChargePoint website.
The City recently unveiled three public curbside EV chargers in the Old Fourth Ward, at 407 N Ingalls and 808 E Kingsley. The chargers are part of the FLO EV charging network and can be accessed using either FLO or ChargePoint mobile applications. A press release was distributed to provide information about this installation, which is the first of its kind in Michigan.
Charging at Home
Charging your car at home is easy. When you get home in the evening, just plug your car in like you would your smartphone overnight. The type of charger best suited to you depends on how far you travel each day. The charging levels are listed below; in your home, you would use a level 1 (no installation required) for shorter than a 30-mile commute and would need purchase and install a level 2 if you plan to drive more than this.
There are two levels of EV chargers for home charging:
- Level 1: basic charging. Level 1 charging uses a standard outlet, so no additional installation costs. It gives you between 30-40 miles with an overnight charge. Most people commute less than 30 miles for work, so this is a good option for many.
- Level 2: regular charging. Level 2 uses a standard 240-volt outlet, so this might require a one-time installation cost to upgrade an outlet or the electrical panel in your home. It provides 100-250 miles on an overnight charge. DTE’s Charging Forward program offers a rebate for installing a level 2 charger in your home. Learn more and apply on the DTE website.
EV Charging at Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUDs)
Most EV charging is done at a driver's residence, but there are many residents of Ann Arbor that don't have total discretion over installing an EV charger where they park their vehicle. This could be due to property management, condominium associations, legal concerns, metering considerations, and shared parking spaces, among other hurdles. These issues can be complex, but are surmountable. Resouces, best practices and case studies are available as more MUDs address their needs for EV charging. Interested in bringing EV charging to your HOA, condo association, or multi-unit building? Check out our new tool kit, Advancing Sustainability with your HOA or MUD, or email Simi Barr.
E-Bikes
Electric bicycles are becoming increasingly popular around the world. By integrating a bicycle with a small motor, e-bikes take range and hill anxiety out of bicycling. If you want a workout, turn off the motor, and if you want to commute without sweating through your clothes, use the pedal assist feature to increase power output. Check out the links below for further information on e-bikes, their costs, and benefits.
Contact Info
Simi Barr
Energy Analyst, Office of Sustainability and Innovations
Email Simi