Plugged in: Ann Arbor now ready to welcome electric vehicles with new charging stations downtown

The charging stations now in place can be accessed by the public free of charge. Electric vehicle owners need only pay the usual parking fees.

With electric vehicles becoming increasingly common, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority was able to secure federal grant funding through the Clean Energy Coalition from the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Recovery Act program.

Leaders from the city, DDA, Clean Energy Coalition and Ecology Center are planning to celebrate the new stations at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Forest Avenue parking structure.

The charging stations, manufactured by a California-based company called ClipperCreek, are located at the Forest Avenue, Maynard, Fourth and William, Ann and Ashley, and Fourth and Catherine parking facilities, as well as the new Library Lane underground parking structure that opens July 12.

Interest in electric vehicles is growing rapidly, city officials say, but one of the largest concerns is the ability to charge them.

Dave Konkle, the DDA's energy programs director, said officials looked at parking structures and surface lots all over the downtown when considering where to locate the new stations.

He said the DDA's goal was to spread them out so no matter where someone parks, there will be electric car charging spots available within a few blocks.

The DOE grant amounted to $110,000. Konkle said it helped that the Clean Energy Coalition has staff members experienced with electric car charging installation.

DDA officials hope charging-friendly parking garages will be attractive to downtown residents, commuters and out-of-town visitors, and help the city meet its emission reduction goals, moving toward a healthier and more energy-independent community.