Curbside EV charging in Detroit, MI is growing. Brooklyn-based startup it’s electric officially launched its first Detroit deployment with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, signaling the start of a public charging network developed in collaboration with the Detroit Smart Parking Lab, Bedrock, the Michigan Office of Future Mobility, Michigan Central, Newlab, and DTE Energy.
“Today marks a major milestone for Detroit and the future of transportation within cities,” said Nathan King, CEO of it’s electric. “Detroit’s first is not its last. It represents what’s possible when new ways of addressing infrastructure barriers for EV charging are implemented.”
Public-Private Partnerships Power the Rollout
The project is the result of extensive collaboration among public and private stakeholders. Tim Slusser, Chief of the Office of Mobility Innovation, highlighted the initiative as a model for how Detroit supports next-generation mobility.
“We designed the Detroit Smart Parking Lab to provide startups the space to test, prove and scale their ideas. ‘it’s electric’ is a strong example of what this platform can unlock,” said Bedrock’s Senior Director of Urban Strategy & Innovation, Kevin Mull. “it’s electric is a great addition to DSPL’s list of graduates as it deploys its technology right outside its doors. At Bedrock, we see infrastructure like this as essential to building cities that are both sustainable and future-facing.”
Small-Footprint Charging with Big Potential
The company’s Level 2 charging stations are compact, design-focused, and feature a detachable charging cable system. The company installs these chargers at no cost to cities or property owners. Instead, it’s electric handles installation, maintenance, and operations while offering property owners passive income.
Initial chargers are located at 1701 W. Lafayette Blvd., with more community-requested sites expected in 2025.
Curbside EV Charging Backed by Michigan Innovation Funds
DTE Energy’s Emerging Tech Fund, the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, and Michigan Central’s Scale Fund support the deployment. The charging posts were first validated by the Detroit Smart Parking Lab in 2022.
“Detroit is demonstrating how innovation hubs such as the DSPL can foster public-private collaborations to deliver tomorrow’s transportation infrastructure for Michigan residents, property owners, and businesses, today,” said Justine Johnson, MEDC’s Chief Mobility Officer of the State of Michigan.
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