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Commercial Charger Installation

10-Step Process

Follow this 10-step process to deploy charging infrastructure at your business location. If your electrician determines you have sufficient capacity to install EV chargers, you will only need to complete Step 1 below prior to your chargers being installed by your electrical contractor. 

* Incentives for commercial charger installation are available. If you are interested in participating, please apply through the Business EV Charger Rebate program.

  • Decide where you’d like the charger(s) located
  • Choose the charger brand, model, and quantity you’d like to install
  • Select an electrical contractor. You can use our directory to find an electrician, but you are not required to use an electrician from our directory and can instead use any licensed electrician
    • If the electrical contractor determines that you have sufficient electrical capacity, you can have them proceed with the installation
    • If you need a new or upgrade in service, continue to Step 2: Prepare

  • Gather the following documents:
    • Proof of ownership for location of chargers (or copy of deed from the property owner)
    • Site plan with existing utilities highlighted and proposed transformer location (final location to be decided between DTE Planning and customer)
  • Work with your electrical contractor to complete:

  • If you are an assigned account, please contact your Account Manager. Your Account Manager will check your system capacity. Otherwise, please continue below
  • If you are not an assigned account, please complete  the Electric Service form. Do not complete this form if you are a residential customer
  • Explore your electric pricing options. For more information on the pricing options, call the DTE Business Contact Center at (855) DTE-4BIZ ; (855) 383-4249

  • Once you've connected with us to initiate the process, DTE Planning will follow up within five business days to gather more information about your project

  • Your DTE Point of Contact is your Account Manager (if applicable) or DTE Planner
  • DTE Planning will arrange a site visit to collect all information necessary (your electrical contractor should attend this meeting)
  • You and DTE Planning will agree on a completion date for the project. Requests for redesign work after original design has been completed, or weather, may impact schedule and agreed upon completion date

  • DTE designs the electrical service connection up to the customer’s metering equipment
  • You or your electrical contractor will work with the city or township to obtain the required permits before any work can be done
  • Your electrician will ready the site for DTE construction and installation per DTE specifications found in the Electric Service Installation Guide, which may include but are not limited to: trenching, laying conduits (with pull strings), installing grounded transformer pads, and installing current transform (CT) cabinets for metering equipment
  • Your electrician will perform any necessary electrical infrastructure work per DTE specifications (found in the Electric Service Installation Guide linked above) between the meter and the charger
  • The municipality will inspect work completed between the meter and the charger

  • You review the design and scope of work, sign a DTE agreement for service and easement (if applicable), and make payment before DTE can begin construction

  • DTE Planning will conduct inspections of all work on the utility side of the meter to ensure your site is ready per DTE specifications (found in the  Electric Service Installation Guide)  and meets requirements including but not limited to:
    • Trenching is free of debris and accessible 
    • All staking is intact and visible
    • Path to the site is clear
    • Fence is unlocked
    • Grade of property is maintained 
    • Inspection and permit documentation is visible
    • Pets are secured and yard is safe to enter
    • Municipal inspections have been completed

  • DTE Scheduling will contact you to schedule an official start date for construction and check in approximately one week before work begins

  • When your installation is complete, DTE will verify everything is in working order, and you’ll be ready to start charging
  • DTE will send you a Post-Construction Satisfaction Survey to complete