Charge up and explore Downtown Norway

Downtown Norway is home to the fastest electric vehicle charger in Upper Michigan.

Located at 615 Main Street, Downtown Norway's charging station has served electric vehicle (EV) travelers since early 2020 with an average charge time of 40 minutes.

The station is the outcome of a joint venture between the State of Michigan, the Norway Downtown Development Authority (Downtown Norway), and Norway's Department of Power and Light.

The EV charger sees between 15 and 20 vehicles per month, with travelers primarily using the station to top off their charge as they pass through the area.

The charging station's central downtown location is within walking distance of many Downtown Norway shops, restaurants, and outdoor attractions.

Business owners have cited increased traffic through their doors thanks in part to the station's walkable distance from several downtown businesses.

The infrastructure for charging stations is rapidly growing across the country, but still relatively more spread out in the Great Lakes region, making Norway a crucial destination for Tesla or Chevy Bolt drivers who want to explore Michigan’s U.P. without worrying about charging.

Environmentally minded EV drivers should know Norway is a leader in the region in alternative energy. Norway draws 95% of its power from the Sturgeon Falls Hydroelectric Dam, and the EV charger itself taps directly from the waters of the Menominee River, making it one of the greenest stations you'll find anywhere.

As Norway Department of Power and Light foreman Scott Hegy notes, "The charger has saved 30,776 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. That is the equivalent of planting 358 trees and letting them grow for 10 years."

Keep Downtown Norway in mind as a safe, efficient port to charge your car - and while you visit, take a moment to enjoy the City of Trails.