Grand Blanc Township and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will demonstrate Genesee County's first public electric charging station at a ribbon cutting event today at 11 a.m. The free charging station, located at the I-75/Dixie Highway carpool lot off Exit 106, will offer an easily accessible plug-in charging station for electric cars.

"As the advent of renewable energy technology catches on, MDOT expects to lend its support to an increasing number of of electric transportation and green energy projects," said Linda Burchell, MDOT Davison Transportation Service Center manager. "Best of all for users of this plug-in station, there is no charge for services like this on public property."

"This charging station is the result of a successful collaboration between federal and state government, and area businesses to secure a non-profit foundation grant," said Micki Hoffman, Grand Blanc Township supervisor. "In addition to MDOT, we've worked with numerous partners in support of this new plug-in technology."

Partners include the Grand Blanc Community Fund, Consumers Energy, Kettering University, MDOT. Coulomb Technologies, Inc., Charge-Now, local and regional chambers of commerce, and local, state and federal elected officials, along with local residents and businesses.

Grand Blanc Township, which already pays for the electricity lighting the carpool lot, will cover the electric cost for the charging station as well. Coulomb Technologies, Inc. provided the electric charger station and the Grand Blanc Community Fund paid for its installation. The project was started with money provided through a federal grant.

More From WFNT