Governor Gretchen Whitmer Allocates $80 Million for Heavy-Duty Commercial EV Charging Corridors

DETROIT — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on Monday the distribution of $80 million in state capital grants through the Michigan Mobility Future Program to engineer and construct six high-power commercial freight electric vehicle charging plazas along Interstate 94 and Interstate 75.

The high-capacity charging hubs, equipped with next-generation Megawatt Charging System (MCS) dispensers delivering up to 1.2 megawatts of power per port, are designed specifically to support heavy-duty Class 8 commercial electric semi-trucks transporting automotive components between Detroit, Lansing, Flint, and cross-border logistics hubs at the Ambassador Bridge and Gordie Howe International Bridge.

Electrifying the Core North American Automotive Supply Chain Interstate 94 carries more commercial freight value than any other highway corridor in North America, connecting thousands of automotive tier-one stamping plants, engine assembly facilities, and vehicle manufacturing complexes across the Great Lakes.

"Michigan put the world on wheels, and we are leading the transition to the next generation of clean, electric transportation," Governor Whitmer said at the Michigan Central Station mobility innovation hub in Detroit. "Commercial freight trucks account for a massive share of highway diesel emissions. This $80 million investment builds the heavy-duty fast-charging infrastructure our trucking companies and automotive suppliers need to transition their commercial fleets to electric, protecting clean air in our neighborhoods while strengthening our automotive leadership."

Charging Plaza Features and Fleet Electrification The six commercial truck charging centers will feature:

• Megawatt Fast-Charging Dispensers: Four 1.2-MW ports per plaza capable of adding 250 miles of highway range to fully loaded commercial semi-trucks in under 35 minutes.
• On-Site Battery Storage & Microgrids: 5-megawatt-hour stationary battery energy storage systems at each location to manage peak utility demand and avoid local grid strain.
• Pull-Through Truck Stalls: Hardened concrete lanes accommodating 53-foot commercial semi-trailers without requiring uncoupling.

Automotive manufacturing executives, commercial freight carriers, and building trades union representatives commended the investment, noting that high-capacity charging corridors make commercial fleet electrification economically viable.