We're Electric! Car-Charging Stations Now Installed Downtown, at Village

If you have a plug-in electric vehicle, you can now charge it while you shop and dine around town.

At least that's what city leaders are hoping for following the recent installation of three car-charging stations.

The chargers were paid for by DTE Energy as part of a U.S. Department of Energy grant. They are located:

• In the parking lot east of the off Sixth Street.
• In the parking lot off Third Street.
• In front of in the

Each station is designed to charge up to two electric vehicles, parked side by side. A full charge takes about four hours.

The cost of a charge-up would be between $1.35 and $1.50 each time; in Rochester, there will be a meter installed to help offset the charges; in  Rochester Hills, the Village will foot the bill for the electricity used.

DTE has installed 16 of the stations across the Detroit area this fall; others have been installed in Auburn Hills, Ferndale and Mount Clemens, among other cities. Over the next few years, DTE will monitor how often they are used, which could guide the installation of more charging stations in the future, according to Michael Palchesko, regional manager for DTE.

Rochester City Manager Jaymes Vettraino said city leaders were excited about this partnership with DTE.

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett agreed.

"It keeps Rochester Hills and The Village fresh and exciting," Barnett said.