Say Goodbye to “Range Anxiety”: Michigan’s First Lamppost EV Charger Lights the Way for Street-Side Charging Revolution
Voltpost’s high-tech lamppost EV charger debuts in Michigan, promising simple, affordable charging solutions set for rapid 2025 expansion.
- 1st Public Lamppost Charger: Launched in Michigan, 2025
- Install Time: Under 1 hour per lamppost
- Capacity: Up to 4 vehicles at once per charger
- Expansion: 11 more sites coming to Detroit this year
EV drivers in Michigan have a bold new option for charging their vehicles—right at the curb. Thanks to New York-based startup Voltpost, the state’s first-ever lamppost EV charger has just gone live. For the first time, anyone parking next to a standard streetlight at the pioneering pilot site in Ypsilanti Township can top up their battery while visiting nearby hot spots like the University of Michigan.
The innovative system transforms ordinary streetlights into modular Level 2 EV chargers, making electric mobility more accessible without costly construction. The move signals a major leap as Michigan seeks rapid, sustainable solutions to match its legacy as America’s automotive heartland.
How Does a Lamppost Become an EV Charger?
With Voltpost’s modular hardware, a city installs retrofitted chargers straight onto existing lampposts. Each unit fits snugly and can be ready for public use in less than an hour. Powerful yet compact, the charger offers two or four retractable cables, letting multiple cars juice up simultaneously—no bulky new equipment or street digging required.
Because the charger uses the public lighting grid, it’s strictly Level 2—meaning it’s ideal for long stops, like shopping, dining, or catching a movie. You won’t get a super-fast top-off, but for everyday street-side charging, it’s a total game-changer.
Q: Where’s Michigan’s First Lamppost Charger?
Michigan’s debut Voltpost charger is now online at the American Center for Mobility campus in Ypsilanti Township—not far from Ann Arbor. This experimental hub is already famed for testing the next generation of transportation tech, making it the perfect proving ground.
The first public lamppost charger in the Midwest also recently went live in Oak Park, Illinois, showing this isn’t just a Michigan experiment—major cities nationwide are watching closely.
Why This Revolution Is Just Starting: 2025 Expansion Plans
This year, an additional 11 Voltpost chargers are scheduled for installation in Detroit and other high-traffic Michigan locations. With Detroit still the epicenter of U.S. mobility innovation, retrofitting existing infrastructure marks a cost-effective way to bring charging equity to more neighborhoods fast.
Municipalities can sidestep multimillion-dollar upgrades to the grid or DC fast charger installations—making EV charging possible almost anywhere there’s a street lamp.
How Does Voltpost Monitor and Maintain the Network?
AT&T powers the network’s wireless connectivity, providing real-time status updates and remote troubleshooting for each charger. That means city engineers or Voltpost technicians can quickly detect outages or problems, maximizing uptime and community access using AT&T’s robust IoT services.
Can You Charge Any EV With a Lamppost Charger?
Yes, as long as your EV supports Level 2 charging and you can secure a spot next to an equipped lamppost! Simply pull up, plug in, and return later to a fuller battery. As more lamppost chargers roll out, curbside charging convenience will transform daily life for EV owners, especially in dense city neighborhoods.
Want to Bring EV Lamppost Charging to Your Street?
- Contact your city council or local transportation department
- Ask about sustainable EV infrastructure projects and grant funding
- Follow pilot programs and results at sites like the American Center for Mobility
- Support local adoption of clean energy and public tech initiatives
The future of electric mobility isn’t hiding—it’s lighting up the street. Will your city be next?
2025 Street-Side Charging Action Checklist:
- Look for pilot lamppost chargers popping up in your area
- Share your charging needs with city planners
- Stay informed with resources like energy.gov and afdc.energy.gov
- Encourage smart, scalable EV charging solutions for a cleaner tomorrow
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