Location: Marquette, Michigan
Fleet type: Municipal light-duty
Narrative: As of July 2026, the Upper Peninsula has 21 DC fast charging stations, compared with 569 across Michigan. These chargers are in Upper Peninsula communities of Marquette, Houghton, Hancock, Copper Harbor, Sault Ste. Marie, Brimley, Escanaba, Iron Mountain, and Norway. Marquette also hosts one Tesla Supercharger location at the Meijer parking lot on US-41, with eight stalls available 24/7 to both Teslas and non-Teslas using a North American Charging Standard adapter. Beyond public electric vehicle (EV) charging availability, Marquette municipal fleet electrification efforts gained traction in 2023. In 2023, the Marquette City Commission voted unanimously to allow the city to purchase two electric vehicles (EVs), an electric lawnmower, and two EV chargers for the city’s vehicle fleet. Marquette’s municipal fleet electrification efforts were made possible through the MI Next Cities Smart Grant managed by Michigan Clean Cities’ affiliated nonprofit NextEnergy. Marquette was one of three inaugural Michigan cities, alongside Dearborn and Flint, to receive funding through the program. The grant reimbursed the city up to $200,000 for the purchase of two 2023 Ford E-Transit vans for the public works and engineering departments. It also supported the purchase of a Mean Green electric lawnmower for the facilities department and two “Level 2” EV chargers for city use at the Marquette Municipal Service Center. The MI Next Cities Smart Grant helped propel Marquette’s fleet electrification efforts.Â
Duane Suckow, the City of Marquette Motor Pool Supervisor, highlighted that the two 2023 Ford E-Transit vans largely operate similarly to previous municipal internal combustion engine (ICE) Ford Transit vans. However, the 100% electric vans have experienced cold climate performance challenges. For example, during winter operations, the E-Transit vans run less than 8 hours a day, requiring more charge planning on days that require multiple stops. Additionally, the electric vans automated braking system (ABS) can lock when the back wheels slip on ice and snow, making it difficult to access municipal buildings located on steep slopes. In contrast, summer temperatures spell real cost savings for Marquette Public Works, as it costs the city just 16 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to operate the E-Transit vans. Moreover, the average cost to run an EV van is 25 cents per mile whereas the average cost to run an ICE van is 34 cents per mile, highlighting the financial benefits to electrifying a municipal fleet year-round. Despite climate fluctuations, electric transit vans have drawn positive public attention. For example, the soft, high-pitched whirring of the EV’s at low speeds and during acceleration adds to the Marquette soundscape, opening the door for local dialogue on electric transportation.Â
Corey Pelkola, a City of Marquette employee and fleet user, shared that the Mean Green electric lawnmower has improved grounds operations by making lawn care quieter, faster, and more efficient. Unlike the previous gas-powered mowers, the electric mower reduces noise enough that operators no longer need ear protection and helps crews complete mowing tasks more quickly. Additionally, the success of Marquette’s electric lawnmower has generated interest from other municipal operations. For example, Lakeview Tourist Park Campground is considering purchasing its own electric mower, which could create opportunities for shared parts inventory, streamlined maintenance, and equipment support across city facilities.
Outputs & Outcomes:Â
The City of Marquette’s deployment of electric municipal fleet vehicles showcases the costs and benefits of EV integration, especially in the Upper Peninsula’s harsh climate. However, Marquette electrification has brought great technology visibility to the region and demonstrated real EV capabilities:Â
- Marquette needs more municipal charging infrastructure to support a growing fleet, but its Ford E-Transit vans and Mean Green electric lawnmowers have demonstrated EV efficiency, cost savings, and encouraged further EV adoption across city departments.
Best Practices & Lessons Learned:
While charging access in the UP has improved, Duane Suckow emphasized that additional infrastructure is still needed to support growing EV ownership and municipal fleet electrification. He also noted the need for more consistent payment systems across charging networks, since multiple apps, pre-loaded account balances, and sign-ups can create confusion for drivers, especially city employees using EV vans.
About Drive Electric Michigan
Drive Electric Michigan (DEMI) is dedicated to increasing electric vehicle adoption in Michigan by engaging with policymakers, utilities, dealerships, and most importantly consumers. Michigan Clean Cities (MICC), alongside our affiliate NextEnergy, leads DEMI by leveraging Michigan’s mobility ecosystem to reduce barriers to EV adoption for fleets and community members. DEMI is an affiliated state program of the DRIVE Electric USA initiative developing state-based DRIVE Electric programs across the U.S. that engage individuals, utilities, legislators, dealerships, and others toward removing adoption barriers and accelerating plug-in electric vehicle use.
