Electric Charging Stations Soon to be Charging in Ferndale

Two electric car-charging stations were recently installed in Ferndale and they are expected to be up and running sometime in September.

The stations were installed by DTE and paid for by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ferndale Downtown Development Authority Director Cristina Sheppard-Decius said there will be an official "charge up" in the coming weeks.

The stations are located in the west parking lot of the and in the Withington parking lot, just north of West Nine Mile behind .

"It's important for our region to start thinking about transitioning to smart technology and 21st century transportation options," Councilwoman Melanie Piana said. "One of the options down the market will be electrical cars."

Piana said the city needs to work on an ordinance for individuals to have home charging stations for their electric vehicles.

"We also need to look at putting codes and ordinances in place for installing (stations) in (residents') garages," Piana said. "We'll look at those as well. Auburn Hills passed one and sent it out (to other municipalities). It's a great template. Birmingham is looking, so is Berkley. We want an electrical vehicle-ready corridor."

DTE also installed four plug-in vehicle-charging stations at Detroit Metro Airport; two in Mount Clemens, Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills; and one in Saline. Two more charging stations will be installed at the Village of Rochester Hills retail center and one at the Automation Alley technology center in Auburn Hills.

Once the stations are up and running, Sheppard-Decius said that charging will be done with a pass card. She said cards will be available at , the or the . Users will also be able to keep the card with them. Details on this are still to be announced.

But, even though charging will be free, parking, Sheppard-Decius said, still costs.

Stay connected to Ferndale Patch as more details about the plug-in vehicle stations are available.