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In the home of Motor City and the big three auto makers, Michigan has put in a lot of effort to electrify communities. Popping up throughout the Upper Peninsula over the last couple of years, have been fast charge EV charging stations for vehicles. Now you’ll even be able to drive an electric vehicle to the northernmost town in the state.
Brand new fast charging stations will help keep electric vehicles on the road and exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula. Yesterday the Mariner North in Copper Harbor unveiled their new electric vehicle charging stations. The restaurants owners Don and Peg Kauppi, worked with State Electric Company and UPPCO on the project.
“So we were able to bring in DC fast charging Level 3, 175KWh Charge. And then behind me we have four, level 2, 40 amp chargers for a slower charge. So working with the utility, UPPCO, when we come into an area we don’t say exactly what we need to do. We more work with the community, with everyone, more on how do we facilitate this solution so that it works best for the community.” – Byron Muonio, Chief Operating Officer, State Electric Company
Don and Peg are both very excited for the addition to their parking lot. Both acknowledging that visitors to copper harbor come from all over the country, and will need some essential amenities they would find back home. Plus with EV charging stations lining up along US-41, there is potential to drive from Miami, Florida, to the end of the highway in Copper Harbor.
“These people come form all over and are used to this type of thing. So we have no idea what to expect as far as people utilizing the chargers. But we know that everyone else is excited about it, when we have Fort Wilkins calling asking when the chargers will go live. Because they have their campers and guests talking about their electric R-Vs needing a place to charge in order to come to Copper Harbor.” – Peg Kauppi, Co-Owner, The Mariner North
“It’s really not the money, it’s about being a part of that product at the end of your trip. I mean there’s so many people that come from Detroit, Chicago, Madison, Wisconsin. So they’re used to all of these things. And so they can trust that they can go 500 miles and get a charge and go home. And so having that confidence is more than anything.” – Don Kauppi, Co-Owner, The Mariner North
The mariner North is now home to two new level two and three electric vehicle charging stations. UPPCO did work to have the charges directly connected to the local power grid. You can find out more about the Electric vehicle charging stations when visiting the mariner north. Have a fun summer, full of exploring the Keweenaw.
