Metro Consulting engineer Eric Geerlings told the Grosse Ile Airport Commerce Park Commission that Metro and Ion Dynamics have proposed a DTE Emerging Technology Fund pilot to station two mobile EV charging units at Grosse Ile Airport for a 14-month lease period. The commission heard that DTE would provide grant funds to Metro Consulting, Metro would lease equipment from Ion Dynamics, and the units would be stored inside Hangar 1 and deployed to charge vehicles on the public parking side or on the airfield.

The project would require minor infrastructure changes at Hangar 1, including replacement of two pedestrian doors and installation of a small ramp to allow the mobile units to cross the hangar threshold. "The dollars would flow from DTE to Metro Consulting. We would make those upgrades at your airport," Geerlings said. He described the leased units as battery-on-wheels systems capable of DC fast charging one vehicle and providing Level 2 charging for up to four vehicles simultaneously.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the pilot could bring regional attention and offer charging for cars and, potentially, electric aircraft. The commission was told the airport would have control over public access and could limit hours if electricity costs rose. Janelle (airport staff) said the township has a "verbal that we have receipt that we were awarded the grant, but we don't have the paperwork" and that the sponsor contract likely will not be in hand until September.

Most important facts: Geerlings said the pilot would deliver two leased Ion Dynamics FlashBot units, with Metro Consulting as prime and Ion Dynamics responsible for maintenance under the lease. Level 2 public charging would be offered free during the pilot, with Metro setting aside funds to offset the airport's electrical costs; DC fast charging would be billed to users through Ion Dynamics' payment app, and Ion Dynamics would remit payment to the township for electricity used. "That would be free for the member of the public charging their vehicle," Geerlings said of Level 2 charging, and he added that DC fast charging customers "would be paying a bill to Ion Dynamics."

Safety, operations and control: Commissioners raised safety and operational questions. One commissioner asked whether the units are autonomous; Geerlings replied, "It's not autonomous. There's an operator of it." Commissioners asked whether aviation charging would be prioritized if an electric aircraft needed power; Geerlings said having two units allows designation of one for public slow charging and one dedicated to airside use. The commission also discussed which modifications would be permanent (two new exit doors and a ramp) versus temporary, and whether the airport should advertise free public charging before the contract paperwork is completed and reimbursements are guaranteed.

Next steps and limits: The commission received the presentation as information only. No formal action was taken; staff will await the written contract from DTE and return with required site plans and permit applications if the contract is executed. Janelle said the contract paperwork is delayed and may arrive in about a month. Geerlings said design sketches and permit submissions would follow and, if approved, installation and commissioning could occur in early 2026 to begin the 14-month lease period.

Community and funding details: Geerlings described DTE's Emerging Technology Fund as selecting multiple projects in the region and positioned the airport as a multimodal pilot site. He said Metro Consulting would be the prime for the DTE award and Ion Dynamics would supply and service the leased units during the term. He estimated the pilot would generate regional publicity around the airport's centennial and described outreach plans to invite manufacturers and electric aircraft during an aviation event in August 2026.

Ending: Commission members thanked the presenters and asked staff to return with contract documentation and any permit or safety reviews required before work begins.