Lake Michigan Circuit Grant Program

Lake Michigan Circuit Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Last Updated: January 29, 2025

Summary

The Lake Michigan Circuit Grant Program aims to enhance electric vehicle infrastructure across Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. By establishing a network of reliable charging stations along Lake Michigan's scenic coastline, the initiative supports coastal tourism and promotes the adoption of EVs. With funding from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the program addresses climate change while ensuring an equitable charging experience for all users. Eligible entities can access significant financial support for infrastructure projects.

Overview

Lake Michigan Circuit The Lake Michigan Circuit is a multi-state initiative to build electric vehicle infrastructure along Lake Michigan to support coastal tourism. Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana are working together to create a scenic route with reliable charging stations along Lake Michigan’s 1,100 mile drivable coastline. The charging stations will be installed at recreational areas, hospitality businesses, and entertainment attractions to provide electric vehicle drivers a long-distance vacation opportunity free from range anxiety. Program Description The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) protects Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources, and is focused on addressing climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, EGLE will provide grants to support the design, build, operation, and maintenance of EV charging stations to address air pollution caused by petroleum-fueled vehicles. Applicants must consider the following program objectives, priorities, and tasks in the planning of their proposal. Program Objectives Establish a network of charging stations along the Lake Michigan coastline as part of a larger regional network to accelerate the adoption of EVs and increase the confidence of long-distance travel using an EV.Make progress toward deploying the infrastructure necessary to support 2 million EVs on Michigan roads by 2030.Reduce transportation related greenhouse gas emissions.PositionU.S.-based industries for global leadership in the vehicle electrification ecosystem.Ensure a convenient, reliable, affordable, and equitable charging experience for all users. Program Priorities Show casing charging stations as an affordable, reliable, adaptable and environmentally protective solution for Michigan’s future.Increasing accessibility to charging stations and the associate benefits for a broad range of end-users.Strategic deployment of charging stations across Michigan that leverages regional strengths and opportunities.Increasing opportunities for business investment, talent enhancement, state branding, and community vitality.Supporting the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and MI Future Mobility Plan. Funding The grant amount will be the lesser of 33.3% of the total cost or a direct match of the amount the electric utility is paying, up to $5,000 for level 2 chargers or up to $70,000 for DC fast chargers, and can only be used for costs directly related to the design, build, operation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure. EGLE has the discretion to alter maximum award sizes and/or funding distribution across charger types upon receiving the full pool of applications and assessing the needs of the program in relation to the priorities. Grant awards will be distributed on a reimbursement basis only, meaning grantees must pay project costs in full prior to receiving funds from EGLE. EGLE will reimburse grantees their award amount once proper invoices, receipts, and proof of payments have been received and reviewed.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Any public, private, non-profit, or other entity physically located in Michigan that can meet the tasks specified in Part I-B(iii) is eligible to apply.All funding distributed under the LMC shall be for projects directly related to the design, build, operation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure that is open to the general public 24/7 or to authorized commercial motor vehicle operators from more than one company.Eligible projects must involve/address the tasks specified in Part I-B(iii). Impacted facilities must be occupied and have long range plans of continued use.Eligible expenses include costs that directly related to the design, build, operation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure. Examples of eligible expenses include:Costs for site preparation, permitting, and design.Costs to purchase, construct/install, integrate, test, and implement a charging station.Construction costs directly related to a charging station.Costs to acquire and install on-site electric service equipment (e.g., power meter, transformer, switch gear).Costs of minor grid updates (work necessary to connect a charging station to the electric grid distribution network like extending power lines several miles or upgrading existing power lines).Costs of charger hardware.Costs of charger software.Costs to install signage at site.Fixed operating and maintenance costs up to five years after the charging station is commissioned, such as:Charger lease feesCellular network fees, internet service fees, or other similar feesOther operation and maintenance costs that are paid in advance through a contract for networking, data sharing, and warranty purposes.

Ineligibility

Entities or individuals that are currently suspended or debarred by the State of Michigan and/or the federal government are ineligible applicants. EGLE may also deem an applicant ineligible due to a compliance or enforcement issue, an outstanding financial liability with the state, or other legal concern.Ineligible projects include:Projects that fail to meet the tasks specified in PartI-B(iii).Projects deemed illegal under the law or inappropriate under contract management standards.Projects considered scientifically unsound or significantly increase risks to workers and/or the public.Projects that will not be conducted in Michigan.Projects involving demonstration of non-commercially available equipment and technologies.Projects that cannot be shared with or have restricted transferability to other entities in Michigan.Ineligible expenses include costs that are incurred pre-award, are unreasonable, and/or are not directly related to the design, build, operation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure.