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EVs: The New Normal
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Welcome to our e-Newsletter where we will keep you up to date on all the latest electric vehicle news and major breakthroughs and celebrate you – our EV partners and drivers!
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In this month’s issue, we’ll take a closer look at vehicle charging, highlight a fun Michigan road trip destination that doubles as an EV host station, have a look at a line-up of electric motorcycles and meet an EV driver who is an efficiency expert – literally.
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Helping You Stay Charged Up
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It’s been two years since we launched PowerMIDriveTM and in that time, we’ve provided over 600 rebates for home, business and public charging stations that make electric vehicle ownership convenient and affordable.
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What’s more is that those rebates include 24 fast charging station locations, which can fully power a vehicle’s battery in less than an hour. There were only four as recently as last summer. Another dozen should start operating in the next six months with over 200 becoming operational in the next three years!
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Charge Up at Home
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Being able to charge while traveling with your EV makes road trips much more convenient. But according to the US Department of Energy, most EV drivers do more than 80%* of their charging at home. If you haven’t already, be sure to read up on why you should charge at home and learn about the real, practical solutions that PowerMIDrive offers to make that possible. *Source: Charging at Home | Department of Energy
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Charge Up While Traveling
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While charging at home is convenient, don’t hesitate to take that EV on your next road trip! We’ve been working hard to accelerate the construction of public chargers – so before you head out, check out the map of our fast charging stations that span Michigan 250 miles from north to south. You can also find public charging stations on the US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center map or on apps like PlugShare.
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EV Station Host Profile |
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Tucked just outside the charming lakeside village of Saugatuck off a well-traveled highway, the Roan & Black art gallery provides an idyllic atmosphere to recharge yourself and your EV.
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The contemporary art gallery installed two DC fast chargers and two level 2 chargers with the help of rebates offered through PowerMIDrive and grants obtained from the State of Michigan. Having EV chargers available has brought in new business for the gallery, but also for their neighbor – the Pennyroyal Café.
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Offering up an oasis for customers and travelers alike, what better way to pass the time while your EV charges than to grab a bite to eat, have some coffee and shop unique pieces from emerging artists and sculptors.
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Motorcycles and Three Wheelers
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Electric vehicles need a relatively small motor, battery, charging system and controls. And while the motor should be close to the drive wheels, they can also be in the wheels – and battery packs can be spread out on the vehicle to help with stability.
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EV battery and motor technology has come a long way and has catalyzed a whole industry of e-bikes, electric motorcycles and more recently, three-wheelers.
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So, whether you’re a fan of dirt bikes, street machines, dual-sport adventure bikes, or racetrack machines, check out the latest electric motorcycles that are guaranteed to get your adrenaline flowing.
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EV Driver Profile | Paul Pancella
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If you ever attend an EV car show near Kalamazoo and see a Chevy Bolt EV with an “infinite MPG” sign in the window, you won’t regret introducing yourself to its owner, Paul Pancella. Paul knows about efficiency. Not only does he instruct and advise students in physics as a professor at Western Michigan University, he also practices what he teaches.
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When the gas engine on his 1992 Honda Civic gave up the ghost after nearly 200,000 miles in 2008, Paul was frustrated with the lack of EVs that were available. So, rather than buying another internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, he decided to build his own electric car and converted that 1992 Civic to electric propulsion.
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Learn more about how Paul’s passion for efficiency and driving electric drove him to taking matters into his own hands – and where it has landed him today.
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#EVTip
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Did you know that most EVs will let you start the climate control from an app or key fob? Warm up or cool down your car while you’re getting ready to head out and never get into an uncomfortably hot or cold vehicle again.
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Our Clean Energy transformation ensures that you can take an active role in becoming a force of change for Michigan. Want to do even more?
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Consider participating in one of our Peak Power Savers® programs or visit ConsumersEnergy.com/change to learn about more ways you can help leave the planet a better place than you found it.
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Share the EV Love!
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Since most people charge at home, the Consumers Energy PowerMIDriveTM program offers EV drivers $500 in rebates for installing electric vehicle chargers at their home. It also comes with electric rates that encourage EV drivers to charge their vehicle between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. to get the most savings on their electric bill, maximize the benefits of EV ownership, and optimize demand on the energy grid.
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Getting more electric vehicles on the road promotes reduced carbon emissions – which helps leave the planet a better place.
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Know someone who is interested in EVs?
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Consider sharing our e-newsletter with a friend (or two or three).
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