LANSING — Lake Michigan’s scenic coastline and other areas throughout northern Lower Michigan will become more accessible for electric vehicle users this summer with the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at select Michigan state parks.

Starting from Warren Dunes State Park in the southwest corner of the Lower Peninsula, north toward beautiful state park destinations at Holland and Grand Haven, Ludington, Orchard Beach, Leelanau and Petoskey on the Lake Michigan shoreline and additional points inland, an estimated total of 30 charging stations are scheduled to be installed throughout the summer.

“This ability to link some of our state parks with electric vehicle travelers will provide a win-win situation for both parties,” said Ron Olson, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division. “The enhancement will no doubt increase the number of visitors at these parks, while providing convenience and significantly increasing the range for EV motorists.”

The rollout of the accessible stations across the state is being done in phases. State parks in the Upper Peninsula are scheduled to be part of the second phase, ideally to take place next year.

On a national level, similar efforts are also underway with electric vehicle charging stations being installed at scenic, cultural and civic destinations.

In the city of Norway, a single-vehicle charging station opened in January 2021 at the corner of Main Street and Sixth Avenue. A grant from the Charge Up Michigan Program covered 33% of the $77,300 project. The Norway Department of Power and Light paid another 33% of the total, while the city’s Downtown Development Authority covered the rest.