Saline plugs in electric vehicle charging station

Electric vehicle owners should soon to able to find the city of Saline in online directories for hot spots to juice up your car. The city has recently signed an agreement with DTE Energy to install a charging station in Parking Lot No. 3, on the south side of E. Henry Street, this spring.

"An ongoing goal of the city council is to have a sustainable community," explains Saline City Manager Todd Campbell.

As part of this pilot program, DTE, under a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Energy, will provide up to $12,500 to supply and install the equipment. The utility will collect usage data and maintain ownership of the station through December 2013, after which ownership will revert to the city, Campbell says. Signage directing drivers to the station will also be erected.

The council has not decided whether to impose fees for the charging, although discussions are leaning that way, says Campbell. He estimates charges at $1 for the hybrid-electric Chevrolet Volt and $2 for the all-electric Ford Focus and Nissan LEAF.

Source: Todd Campbell, city manager of Saline
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar