Electric Vehicles use electricity to power the vehicle. All the electricity comes from an electric charging source and regenerative braking (using the vehicle’s kinetic energy to recharge the battery). Some examples of EVs include the Chevrolet Bolt, Ford Mach-e, Ford F-150 Lightning, and all Tesla and Rivian models. There continues to be many different EV choices coming to market over the next few years.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles use both gasoline and electricity. These vehicles have two power systems, an internal combustion engine and a battery. The battery can be recharged by plugging the vehicle into an external source. It also gains some charge through regenerative braking. Although vehicle technologies vary, PHEVs are charged by plugging in and through regenerative braking. Examples of PHEVs include the Chevrolet Volt, Ford Fusion Energi and Toyota Prius Prime.

Hybrid EVs combine conventional internal combustion engine systems with electric propulsion systems. They use regenerative braking to convert energy that is normally wasted during braking/coasting into electricity. This electricity is stored in a battery until it’s needed by the electric motor. Examples of HEVs on the market today include the Toyota Prius and others.

EVs have many benefits. They are better for the planet, faster and need less maintenance than non-EVs. Learn even more benefits of EVs on our Why Go EV? page.

Yes! In fact, it’s estimated that on average you’ll save around $5,000 owning an EV. The money you save is expected to increase in the future. Our EV Cost of Ownership page compares the costs of EVs and gas powered cars, and gives you a closer look at how much money you could save. 

Simply driving an electric vehicle offers benefits for your wallet, the grid and the environment. To get even more, consider these options:

• Explore our PowerMIDrive™ rebates to see if you qualify for a rebate of $500 on the installation of a Level 2 charger at your home
• Take advantage of public or workplace charging stations
• Charge your vehicle on renewable energy by using Michigan Renewable Energy Credits
• Sign up for our Nighttime Saver's Rate to benefit from off peak charging.

Like your microwave or TV, EVs can use a wall outlet to charge. This is the basic charger offered with EVs known as a Level 1 Charger. A Level 1 Charger can take the voltage from your normal outlet (110v) and charge your car. On average, Level 1 Chargers charge 5 miles of range per hour.

There is also a Level 2 Charger available, which uses 240v. The additional power allows charging to be quick around 25 miles per hour.

Charging is as simple as charging your phone ⁠— only the charge port is a lot bigger! At the base level, a Level 1 charger will go right to your wall outlet to your car. A Level 2 Charger, which requires an electrician to install, will act similar to your wall outlet as it’ll be attached to your wall, but it’s a lot bigger. From there you can just connect directly to your vehicle for charging.

Every day, there are more charging stations added throughout the U.S. Over the years, this is only expected to increase. With wall outlets being accessible pretty much everywhere, you’ll always be able to find a way to charge your EV. 

Call a licensed electrician to install a NEMA 14-50 outlet in your garage.

Our EV Ready Checklist can help guide you through the process.

The number of public charging stations in Michigan is growing every day. Click here to find a charging station near you.

You can charge your electric vehicle any time, day or night. However, charging overnight is the best way to take advantage of lower rates and save money, especially if you are on our Nighttime Savers Rate.

We recommend our Nighttime Savers Rate for EV owners. It offers our lowest rate between the overnight hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., when most EV owners charge their vehicles. It also rewards you with a lower rate if you shift some of your electricity use to the morning or evening hours.

Learn more about our Nighttime Savers Rate program.

Yes, our Rate Advisor tool lets you get an estimate of how much charging at home will add to your current bill and allow you to see how much you could save by enrolling in our rate programs.

You can save throughout the year by reviewing our rate programs schedule and you’ll see an impact on your bill. If you would like to switch your rate, here’s how:

• If you drive an EV, send an email to PowerMIDrive@cmsenergy.com with your name and full service address or call an EV Specialist at 877-904-9246.
  
  
• If you don’t drive an EV, call customer service at 1-800-477-5050

Yes. We created the PowerMIDrive™ program to offer rebates of $500 on the installation of a Level 2 charger at your home, and rebates up to $5,000 and $70,000 on installations of public Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers on commercial properties. See the PowerMIDrive™ program details.

If you have a Level 2 charger that’s not on the approved rebate list you could get up to $120 through our Smart Charging Incentive Program.

You may also be eligible to receive a federal tax credit of 30% of the cost of purchasing and installing an EV charging station (up to $1,000 for residential installations and up to $30,000 for commercial installations) with the retroactive credit. Learn more with our Incentives tool.

The PowerMIDrive program was approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission and developed on the premise of creating a managed vehicle charging infrastructure which includes residential, public workplace and public DC Fast charging incentives.  

In an effort to understand when drivers are charging and the impact of incentives and time of use rates we require the charger to be UL and EnergyStar certified. View list of qualified chargers.

We continue to look at networks and charging station manufacturers, so it is likely that we will add more stations to the authorized list.

All residential customers should review the program guidelines to ensure they, and the equipment they choose, are eligible for the rebate. If you have questions, please email the PowerMIDrive team at PowerMIDrive@cmsenergy.com or call us at 877-904-8246.

Customers interested in public station rebates should be aware that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and evaluated against many factors. Since it is our goal to extend EV infrastructure across the state, applications may be reviewed multiple times prior to being accepted or denied, so we can ensure infrastructure availability expands as efficiently as possible.

Customers that are not participating in the rebate program do have the ability to use any of our rates, including our Nighttime Savers Rate or Smart Hours Rate that lower the cost of vehicle charging during off peak periods. Customers can contact the PowerMIDrive team at PowerMIDrive@cmsenergy.com or call us at 877-904-8246 to request the rate change.

Customers who have reviewed the guidelines and feel they will not qualify are still encouraged to apply. We are continuing to evaluate options that would enable more chargers to be added to the authorized list. If a customer is initially declined a rebate and their station is later approved in the program, Consumers Energy will contact the customer. In addition, this provides a means for us to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and what is and is not working.

In addition, all customers who have installed a Level 2 charger in their home should check to see if they qualify for the Smart Charging Incentive Program.

No, this request only applies on weekdays (Monday to Friday).

This is a voluntary request to help balance the load curve during overnight hours.

This request does not affect enrollment in the Smart Charging Incentive program or the current cost per kWh under the Nighttime Savers rate.

No, there is no impact on your incentive as long as you are charging between 11 PM and 6 AM (M-F). We understand that your charging needs may change.