DTE Charging Forward program approves rebates for 150 EV charger ports
In less than six months, the DTE Energy’s Charging Forward program has officially approved 150 electric vehicle (EV) charger port rebates, building up Michigan’s charging network.
The program, which launched in June, aimed to increase EV awareness while offering rebates for residential Level 2 chargers, and public Level 2 and DC Fast Charging (DCFC) infrastructure enablement incentives. As of this month, such incentives have brought 14 DC Fast Chargers to highways throughout Michigan, at $20,000 per installation. Another 75 Level 2 chargers were drawn in by $2,500 rebates for installation in public spaces, workplaces, and multi-unit dwellings such as apartment buildings. Residential owners have also cashed in, with 61 new residential chargers and year-round enrollment in a time-of-use electric rate paired with $500 rebates.
For homeowners, considering the purchase and installation of these stations can cost between several hundred and several thousand dollars, the rebates represent a significant portion off the final bill.
“DTE is pleased by the level of interest in Charging Forward from both residential and business customers,” Camilo Serna, DTE’s vice president of Regulatory Affairs, said. “Supporting the deployment of charging infrastructure will help facilitate EV adoption and bring about the benefits of transportation electrification to all of Michigan’s residents.”
On a practical level, what these chargers bring to locals differs significantly. A Level 2 charger, for example, offers between 10 and 20 miles of range for an hour of charging. On the other hand, a DCFC could grant between 150 and 210 miles of range per hour, depending on the vehicle and charger power level.
In addition to the rebate incentives, the program also encourages DTE’s residential customers to charge their EVs during off-peak hours, dangling the potential for reduced electric generation costs. For the company — and its customers — shifting more use to off-peak hours also reduces demand on the grid
