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Leading by example: EGLE staff riding and driving electric vehicles part of State’s EV fleet

September 15, 2026

EGLE Water Resources team members in the department’s Cadillac district office joined Ann Larson, EGLE Deputy Director, in an electric vehicle to see how well it works in the field. EGLE Water Resources team members in the department’s Cadillac district office joined Ann Larson, EGLE Deputy Director, in an electric vehicle to see how well it works in the field.

As part of National Drive Electric Month, MI Environment is highlighting the experience of EGLE staffers with the State’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet in a series of “ride and drives.”

In 2023, Gov. Whitmer signed an executive directive to convert the State of Michigan vehicle fleet to zero emissions vehicles by 2033 for light-duty, and 2040 for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Currently, the state fleet has 41 leased EVs and two MDOT owned EVs (out of approximately 9500 leased and 5300 agency-owned vehicles), says Michael Mowers of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB).

Best practices to electrification start with a strategic fleet assessment: evaluating fleet operations, vehicle usage patterns, charging needs, and long-term sustainability goals, Deborah Stevens of DTMB added. 

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has participated in DTMB’s program that lends a Chevrolet Equinox EV to a state office free of charge for a period of one to three weeks.

EGLE staff in Lansing check out the EV’s engine and features. EGLE staff in Lansing check out the EV’s engine and features. EVs maintenance costs are much lower than gas-powered internal combustion engines (ICE) vehicles because they have fewer moving parts and simpler drivetrains.

EGLE staffers have taken trips to the department’s district offices. The experience, says Dale George, EGLE communications director, has been a real learning experience. “The ride was quiet, smooth, and enjoyable, but I had to figure out the charging logistics and how different chargers vary in speed. Once I got the hang of it, I could clearly see the benefits of going electric.”

EV rides and drives are a way to connect EGLE district staff to the broader goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan – supporting two million electric vehicles on state roads by the year 2030 -- notes EGLE Deputy Director Ann Larson, who helped coordinate the EGLE EV trips to district offices. Transportation is one Michigan's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, making electrification one of the MHCP's highest-impact strategies, she added.


EGLE staff in Jackson check the Beam EV ARC solar chargers. EGLE staff in Jackson check the Beam EV ARC solar chargers that are 100% renewable and transportable for off-grid charging.

To build on its experience, EGLE’s Office of Climate and Energy will be starting an EGLE Climate Liaisons working group for those that are interested in supporting efforts to increase usage of the DTMB fleet EVs and discuss how to build out EGLE’s EV fleet. The group will ultimately provide recommendations to EGLE leadership on how to overcome barriers to EV fleet usage. 


Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Office of Climate and Energy MI Environment Climate Energy

Media Contact:

MI Environment Team

EGLE-Media-Office@Michigan.gov

517-284-9278

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