MGE Partners with the City of Madison on Pole-Mounted EV Chargers

Madison, Wis., May 13, 2025—Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) and the City of Madison teamed up to unveil five new pole-mounted electric vehicle (EV) chargers located throughout Madison, expanding MGE's public charging network to nearly 60 chargers. The new chargers are attached to existing MGE utility poles, a first for MGE and the City of Madison. 

Transportation is the leading contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The electrification of transportation, and other end uses, is a key strategy for reducing carbon emissions. 

Studies show that about 80% of EV charging happens at home. This can be challenging for drivers who don't have a garage or dedicated parking.

"We know concerns about the availability of charging can be a barrier for some drivers to go electric. That's why we welcomed the opportunity to partner with the City to find locations that could benefit from easy access to curbside EV charging," said Cari Anne Renlund, MGE Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. "Together, we identified five locations, neighborhoods with multifamily housing and without existing or convenient access to EV charging, to add chargers to existing MGE electric poles."

"Pole-mounted chargers are a smart, efficient way to add charging capacity without the need for large infrastructure investments," said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. "By installing EV chargers on existing electric utility poles, we are making it easier for Madisonians, especially those without access to home charging, to drive electric and support our community’s transition to a more sustainable transportation system." 

MGE has worked and continues to work with customers, stakeholders, municipalities and other community partners to grow the use of EVs and to facilitate charging options throughout the community. 

MGE's Public Charging Network

Madison-area EV drivers have many options to fuel their ride with clean energy from MGE. All of our public charging stations are powered by 100% renewable energy. 

The new pole-mounted chargers offer convenient curbside charging at the following locations: 

• 557 North St. (Commercial Avenue and North Street)
• 402 W. Lakeside St.
• 400 Bram St. (Quann Park)
• 502 Troy Dr. (Troy Gardens)
• 400 Rosemary Ave. (near Worthington Park) 

Learn more about EVs

MGE helps customers, businesses and our community at-large learn about the benefits of EVs. We offer programs for customers who are considering an EV or have already made the decision to drive electric. We offer resources and tools that highlight available models, explain charging options, and detail potential cost and environmental savings. We have an easy, one-stop online resource at mge.com/LovEV. 

The online tool, Explore My EV, offers users the opportunity to compare the costs of plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles to gasoline-powered models. The tool considers commute distances, available tax credits and maintenance costs, among other things through its online analysis. 

About MGE

MGE generates and distributes electricity to 167,000 customers in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to 178,000 customers in seven south-central and western Wisconsin counties. MGE's parent company is MGE Energy, Inc. The company's roots in the Madison area date back more than 150 years.