Midwestern states will be installing EV charging stations along the Lake Michigan shorelines. The shoreline boarders four states, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and a small amount of Indiana. These states governors announced together their plan to improve the Midwest’s growth for clean energy and sustainability. This route is being nicknames “Electric Route-66.” This is a huge development for long distance travelers in the Midwest and across the country who are visiting one of the Great Lakes. The route consists of over 1,000 miles of shoreline for travelers driving by car and it will now have EV charging access along the entire scenic trip.

The EV charging stations will be installed at a variety of places for drivers to stop and charge. The stations will be located at state parks, within small communities and local businesses. The charging stations will also lead to some of the major cities located around Lake Michigan. Chicago and Milwaukee are along the boarder of Lake Michigan meanwhile Indianapolis and Green Bay are further away from the shorelines. This project will be completed within the next few years. Some charging stations within the cities and communities around the lake are already operable.

EV range and EV charging accessibility are one of the main contenders holding drivers back from switching to fully electric vehicles. EV range varies depending on the model of the car, so the number of miles you can drive on a single charge can be difficult to calculate. Long-distance drivers have to plan their trips thoroughly to make sure the cars don’t run out of power. Luckily, more projects like this one at Lake Michigan are happening all over the country and world. The growing EV infrastructure is making it easier for drivers to convert to electric energy.

Click here to read the full article, originally published August 4, 2022, by Michigan Live.