Auburn Hills Passes Ordinance To Encourage EV Charging Stations
The city of Auburn Hills has passed what it says is Michigan's first city ordinance regulating the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.
The ordinance was unanimously approved by City Council this week after unanimous approval June 28 by the City Planning Commission.
The ordinance doesn't offer financial incentives for EV charging station installations, though city community development director Steve Cohen said the city is looking to connect businesses with grant opportunities.
Instead, he said, "the main reason we wanted to do this was to cut the red tape and make it easier for property owners to install these charging stations."
Under the ordinance, those who want to install EV charging stations "don't have to get any kind of special zoning approval," Cohen said. As long as they follow EV charging station industry standards, "all they have to do is pull a building permit."
Cohen said the ordinance also aims to "raise awareness with developers and homeowners. A lot of planners haven't been exposed to the concept of EV charging."
Cohen noted that charging EVs is "a totally different fueling system than we're used to. It's a paradigm shift. Instead of pulling up to a gas station you're going to refuel your car at home, at the office or at the shopping center over a longer period of time."
Cohen said Auburn Hills staff "investigated EV ordinances throughout the country and adopted an ordinance that blends best practices nationwide with the unique needs of Auburn Hills and the state of Michigan. We view this EV ordinance as a model for planned development in a future where electric and hybrid vehicles are commonplace."
The new ordinance encourages, but does not require, property owners to plan for and install EV charging stations to support future market demand.
The locations of Auburn Hills' first municipal EV charging stations will be announced in late August. It is anticipated there will be no charge, at least initially, for their use. To read the electric vehicle infrastructure ordinance in its entirety, visit www.auburnhills.org.
