Claimed to be the largest installation in the state, the units are designed to reduce the cost of smart charging equipment, which is able to prioritise energy flow to specific vehicles and manage demand on the grid during peak hours.

The launch event, held at the DTE Energy headquarters adjacent to the MGM Grand, was attended by representatives from US DOE, National Labs, DTE, Mercedes Benz, kVA, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Bosch.

Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president, Distribution Engineering, said: ‘By the end of 2015, we hope to show how clusters of charging stations such as the one in this project, can be reliable adjuncts to the electric grid.’