Michigan EV infrastructure expansion overlooks affordability for low income residents, University of Wisconsin study finds

University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers have found that Michigan's electric vehicle policies prioritise charging infrastructure expansion and adoption rates but give insufficient attention to whether low income residents can afford to participate in the transition. The study, part of a broader project examining EV charging infrastructure development across Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, concludes that access to electric vehicles requires more than the ability to purchase a vehicle and must include access to the entire supporting system. Researchers worked with local communities, including tribal nations, on charging station placement decisions.

Why it matters: Procurement teams and charge point operators planning Michigan deployments must consider equity factors beyond physical infrastructure availability, as state policy gaps around affordability may affect site utilisation and funding eligibility. The findings suggest that successful rollout strategies require engagement with low income communities to ensure charging networks serve all potential users.