Drive Electric

Charge Up Midwest

Charge Up Midwest is a partnership aimed at increasing electric vehicle deployment in the region. The partners are comprised of seven environmental and clean energy organizations in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, and Missouri committed to helping the Midwest reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Campaign partners seek to engage with a broad range of stakeholders to support actions that increase investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, create a more resilient and low-carbon grid, expand education of policymakers and other stakeholders about the benefits of electric vehicles, and otherwise accelerate the production, sales and access to electric vehicles in the region for all Midwest residents.

Key campaigns include:

  • Working with utility providers in states throughout the Midwest to invest in expanding the electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Charge Up partners are participating in workshops and technical conferences convened by state public utility commissions to educate stakeholders about the benefits of growing the EV infrastructure and the important role utilities play in that process.

  • Ensuring that funds from the $2.8 billion Volkswagen mitigation settlement trust support electrification and advance newer zero-emission technologies, including electric school buses, transit buses, and trucks. Charge Up Midwest also sent a proposal to administrators of VW’s Zero Emission Vehicle Investment Plan, highlighting the opportunities to strategically deploy charging infrastructure in a region that is primed for greater electric vehicle adoption. The combined $14 billion trust was created after the automaker was caught in an emissions-cheating scandal.

  • Playing a key role in assembling stakeholders on EV-related initiatives. Charge Up Midwest co-founded the Midcontinent Transportation Electrification Collaborative (M-TEC), which is composed of representatives from automakers, state government, electric utilities and cooperatives, charging companies, and environmental organizations. M-TEC coordinates regionally to increase EV use and has been working to develop Consensus Principles for Utility EV Program design as well as addressing potential challenges for DCFC charging along highway corridors.

  • Engaging legislators and other policymakers in discussions about the importance of getting more electric vehicles on the road with a robust charging infrastructure.

  • Pursuing media coverage to spread the word about Charge Up Midwest’s activities and amplify the message of why more EVs and a good network of charging stations will benefit Midwesterners, the economy, and the environment.

 

Charge Up Midwest Partners