Bipartisan legislation in the state house is aimed at putting electric car charging stations across the state.
The bill package would allow for placement of charging stations in state parks and harbors as well as creating a council to oversee the development of charging energy infrastructure.
Democratic Representative Tim Sneller introduced one of the bills. He said the goal is to look into developing electric vehicle infrastructure for the state.
“The council would really be responsible for creating the plan for the statewide EV charging infrastructure,” Sneller said. “They’d be working in coordination with utilities and private companies that are also releasing plans on their electric vehicles.”
Sneller estimated there are roughly 100-thousand electric vehicles in Michigan currently, but he expects that number to grow.
“Hopefully we are looking down the road and what these bills address is creating electric vehicle charging infrastructure.”
Republican State Representative Julie Alexander is also a sponsor on the package. She said Michigan should lead the way for electric vehicles.
“As electric vehicles become more and more popular we need to provide options for travel in Michigan,” Alexander said.
It is not yet clear how the charging stations will be funded. Alexander said there could be some combination of state funds and private partnerships.