Governor Gretchen Whitmer Directs $115 Million to Electrify Mackinac Island and Cross-Lake Ferries

MACKINAW CITY, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Bradley Wieferich announced on Monday the distribution of $115 million in state clean transportation capital grants through the Fresh Coast Maritime Challenge to construct high-voltage marine shore-power rapid charging docks and deploy zero-emission electric passenger ferries serving Mackinac Island, Beaver Island, and cross-lake transit routes.

The investment, managed in coordination with local ferry operators and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, will construct automated 5-megawatt shore-power charging berths at St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, and Mackinac Island harbor, allowing hybrid and all-electric passenger catamarans to recharge in under 12 minutes while passengers board.

Protecting the Pristine Environment of Mackinac Island Mackinac Island, where motor vehicles have been prohibited since 1898, welcomes over 1 million tourists annually who travel via passenger ferries that currently burn millions of gallons of marine diesel in the historic Straits of Mackinac.

"Mackinac Island is Michigan's crown jewel, known worldwide for its timeless beauty, horse-drawn carriages, and clean air," Governor Whitmer said at the Mackinaw City ferry dock. "Electrifying our passenger ferry fleets will protect the crystal-clear waters of the Straits of Mackinac, eliminate diesel smoke and noise for visitors, and cement Michigan as the national leader in clean freshwater maritime technology. This $115 million investment builds the high-power charging infrastructure our ferry operators need to run clean, quiet, electric boats."

Maritime Infrastructure Projects Funded The $115 million program includes:

• High-Power Automated Marine Charging Berths: $60 million to install 5-MW articulated charging arms and grid substations at ferry docks.
• Electric Passenger Ferry Vessel Conversions: $35 million in matching grants for ferry companies repowering existing diesel vessels with zero-emission electric propulsion.
• Beaver Island & Isle Royale Clean Marine Logistics: $20 million for hybrid freight and passenger transport vessels.

Ferry operators, tourism business associations, and Great Lakes environmental federations praised the state funding, noting that electric ferries reduce operating fuel costs while delivering a silent, fume-free travel experience for island visitors.