Shandra Martinez | The Grand Rapids Press Shandra Martinez | The Grand Rapids Press
WALKER -- Supercenter retailer Meijer Inc. will install West Michigan's first electric car charging station in a few weeks.
The retailer plans to place the charging station at the Holland Meijer store, 746 East 16th St., a few miles from the JCI-Saft and LG Chem plants that will produce lithium-ion batteries for the Chevy Volt and other electric and hybrid vehicles produced by General Motors and Ford Motors Co.
As the first mainstream plug-in electric cars roll into Michigan showrooms early next year, efforts are underway by utilities to establish a network of charging station across the country. Meijer appears to be the first retailer in the state to install the technology. The Walker-based company is spending $100,000 to put stations at three of its stores. Another 10 to 20 will be installed at other Meijer stores through five Midwest states in 2011 -- including one in the Grand Rapids market.
The first charging station was to be unveiled this morning at the Warren Meijer store, across the street from GM's technical center. The second also will go up on the state's east side -- where the auto industry has installed other charging stations -- at the retailer's Allen Park store, located a few miles from Ford's headquarters.
The electric charging stations will be free for customers to use.
"This is a very exciting step for Meijer as we continue to look for ways to expand our sustainability initiatives," said Julie Croll, senior vice president of properties and real estate for the retailer.
"The key to our success through the years has been innovation, and we look at sustainability the same way," Croll said.
Some of Meijer's green efforts have included offering reusable grocery bags, installing rooftop wind turbines on stores, building LEED-certified stores and selling ethanol fuel at its fuel stations.
The charging stations -- which could be mistaken for an air pump -- will be located next to the store -- in an area designated in green. The idea is that customers could charge their cars while they shop.
The stations will provide 120V and 240V charging options, which meet the SAE J1772 standard adopted by automakers. The plug-in charging stations are manufactured by Campbell, Calif.-based Coulomb Technologies. Meijer purchased the stations through Roseville, Mich.-based Shocking Solutions and they were installed by the Waterford, Mich.-based ChargeNow.
Meijer's announcement surprised Randy Thelen, president of Lakeshore Advantage, the economic development group credited for wooing the two battery-makers to Holland. Thelen said he had been working with local officials to develop charging station infrastructure throughout the community.
"This is great news," said Thelen. "We have two of the biggest advance battery plants in the country under construction. It's important for us to be the leader in this field, and for Meijer to be an early adopter of this technology is exciting."
E-mail Shandra Martinez: smartinez@grpress.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/shandramartinez
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