DTE’s Emerging Technology Fund Announces 2025 Recipients, Including it’s electric, Forth, and More
On Nov. 3, 2025, DTE Energy announced the 2025 awardees of the company’s Emerging Technology Fund (ETF), a program designed to advance electric vehicle innovation and expand access to EV charging for all Michigan residents. Since launching in 2023, the ETF has supported projects that remove barriers to EV adoption, increase charging availability, and strengthen local energy resilience. The fund is helping drive Michigan’s leadership in transportation electrification by supporting technologies that make it easier and more affordable for residents to switch to electric vehicles.
“Michigan has always been a place where innovation drives progress and DTE is proud to back these organizations,” said Yvette Johnson, vice president of Electric Sales & Marketing at DTE Energy. “From the first curbside chargers in Detroit to commercial-scale battery storage using second-life EV batteries, these projects show what is possible when public and private partners work together to reimagine mobility for everyone.”
This year’s recipients represent a diverse range of solutions. Volt Harbor is launching a pilot to build an affordable, commercial-scale battery energy storage system using retired EV batteries to store electricity during peak demand.
“DTE Energy’s support of startup businesses has been vital to driving innovation in Michigan,” said Al Avestruz, co-founder, Volt Harbor, Inc. “We are thrilled to be working with DTE.”
ev.energy will test managed charging at multifamily housing to reduce stress on the grid and charge vehicles when electricity costs are lowest.
Voltpost is turning existing lampposts into Level 2 chargers, offering convenient charging without disruptive construction.
The nonprofit Forth will expand its AMP EV carsharing program in Detroit and Ann Arbor to help connect residents with reliable transportation options.
“Clean transportation means more than fewer tailpipes – it means opportunity,” said Jeff Allen, Executive Director, Forth Mobility. “With support from DTE, this EV carshare connects Detroit and Ann Arbor residents to jobs, healthcare and education, while cutting pollution in historically underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods.”
Metro Consulting Associates will bring fast, mobile EV charging units to Grosse Ile Airport, allowing flexible charging for multiple types of vehicles.
It’s electric is deploying one of Detroit’s first managed EV charging programs alongside Bedrock Properties to support curbside charging and building-powered EV charging.
“DTE’s Emerging Tech Fund is helping Detroit become a national leader in deploying cutting edge EV charger technology,” said Nathan King, CEO, it’s electric. “From the country’s very first building-powered EV chargers to new curbside chargers, DTE and its electric are driving innovation while making Detroit a great and accessible destination for EV drivers to live, work, and enjoy the city.”
In May 2025, EVinfo.net reported on how Detroit introduced its first building-powered curbside electric vehicle charging stations, developed by Brooklyn-based startup it’s electric. The project officially launched on May 1, 2025, through a partnership between the Detroit Smart Parking Lab, Bedrock, Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, Michigan Central, Newlab, and DTE Energy.
The chargers connect behind the meter to nearby buildings, bypassing the utility grid for faster and more affordable installation. There are no installation or operational costs for property owners or the city, and local building owners receive monthly passive income from charger use. The Brooklyn-718 model features a detachable cable system that keeps sidewalks clear and meets UL safety standards. The project also focuses on equity, prioritizing neighborhoods that lack access to traditional EV infrastructure.
This launch represents a full-circle moment for it’s electric, which first tested its small-footprint chargers at the Detroit Smart Parking Lab in 2022. The initiative is supported by funding from DTE Energy’s Emerging Tech Fund, the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, and Michigan Central’s Scale Fund. Leaders from the partnering organizations emphasized how collaboration among startups, public agencies, and private stakeholders is driving the expansion of accessible and sustainable EV infrastructure in Detroit.
The first charger is operational outside the Detroit Smart Parking Lab at 1701 W Lafayette Blvd. The program aims to expand to 25 curbside charging locations across Detroit by the end of 2025. Residents and building owners can nominate their neighborhoods and join the it’s electric waitlist through the company’s mobile app.
These projects demonstrate how EV innovation can benefit neighborhoods, support local jobs, and strengthen Michigan’s position as a global automotive leader.
The Emerging Technology Fund is now accepting applications for 2026. Organizations working on transportation electrification or innovative charging technology are encouraged to apply at dteenergy.com/emergingtechfund through the end of January 2026.
