Detroit, MI
Detroit-based EV charging company set to benefit from incoming tariffs
DETROIT (WXYZ) — We’re talked a lot about how tariffs levied agianst other countries by the Trump adminstration could potentially hurt whole industries, businesses and consumers.
But today, we’re introducing a Detroit-based Electric Vehicle charging company that says they’ll benefit from them.
WXYZ
“There is a great benefit now based upon the climate in the country and there being a focus on U.S. based manufacturers. So, Dunamis fits very neatly in that model,” said Nataline King, the Founder & CEO of Dunamis Charge.
The 51-year-old Detroit native owns Dunamis Charge, the world’s only Black-owned, woman-led EV battery charging company. Natalie initially entered this space back in 2012 when she founded Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC. The company manufactured LED lights and specialized in commercial, utility and industrial energy efficiency solutions.
Much of their manufacturing was done in Asia.
“(It was) riddled with complications by doing business oversees. So, quality, supply chain management, you know, logistics, customs. All of those things really became hindrances,” King said.
So, Natalie pivoted and founded Dunamis Charge in 2020. The company began building high-quality, level two Electric Vehicle battery charges that can fully refill a car’s battery overnight.
What’s more, the chargers were competitively priced. A single-port residential EV charging unit starts around $700, less than the cost of a brand new iPhone. And nearly 100 percent of the battery’s components are American made.
“At the time that we came up with this concept, there were no tariffs,” King said.” There were, yeah no…President Biden had not been in office yet. So, there were no incentives for EV charging infrastructure.”
WXYZ
“We manufacture the charges from scratch, right? So, we start out with what we call the PCB board, locally sourced right in Auburn Hills. So, most of our suppliers are within a 30-mile radius,” said Dunamis Charge Plant Manager Erik Williams.
And Dunamis hires American workers, like these two from right here in Detroit.
WXYZ
“We’re electric assemblers. So, we assemble the components to make the charger itself. And, we test it to make sure it’s safe to go out to homes, or businesses, companies,” said Electric Assembler Shelton Snead.
WXYZ
“Me personally, I take pride in it cause like, I try to tell people like what I do,” said Lavez Boudreaux. “When they…it’s kind of hard for them to believe. So, it’s like I kind of take pride in and be proud of what I do.”
Dunamis Charges got the attention of Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and former U.S. President Joe Biden.
In fact, King was invited to Washington D.C. twice by the Biden administration: once to an event at the White House, and once when she joined UAW President Shawn Fain in First Lady Jill Biden’s box during last year’s State of the Union address.
And as for the current president?
“I believe that the Trump administration supports the automotive industry. And, I believe that we will be able to benefit from that support,” King said.
Where Your Voice Matters
Contact our newsroom
Have a tip, story idea or comment on our coverage? Send us a message. You can also call our newsroom directly at 248-827-9407. Please be sure to let us know if you’d be willing to talk on camera about the topic.
Detroit, MI
Metro Detroit veterans charity pleads for end to donation bin vandalism across metro area
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Officials with the Veterans and America First Foundation are speaking out after for their donation bins were vandalized.
The organization, based in Clinton Township, collects clothing donations through bins placed throughout metro Detroit to support veterans and others in need with clothes, food and housing.
Bins located on West Vernor Highway near Military Street in Detroit were among the latest to be hit.
Paul Dehem, director and founder of Veterans and America First Foundation, learned about the damage on Saturday after Aiman Kawas, who is in charge of servicing the bins, discovered they had been damaged.
Dehem said the vandalism occurred within a narrow window.
“It happened sometime between Wednesday and Friday,” Dehem said.
WXYZ
“It’s just disheartening,” Dehem said.
Kawas said the West Vernor Highway incident is far from isolated.
“I was disappointed, of course this is not our first time being vandalized,” Kawas said.
WXYZ
“We have lost over 70 bins to vandalism or theft, the actual bin disappears… they take it completely,” Kawas said.
Jason Beddow, director of development for Veterans and America First Foundation, said each bin costs about $1,000 to replace.
“The vets are missing out on their charity and donations from those bins and it’s just a real shame,” Beddow said.
WXYZ
Meanwhile, Dehem said he hopes those responsible will consider who is truly harmed by the destruction.
“We have a mission and it’s for the veterans,” Dehem said. “It’s not for profit, we’re just trying to make things work and help people.”
Anyone with information about who is vandalizing the bins, or surveillance video, is asked to contact Detroit police.
————————
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
A 17-year-old has been charged in a nonfatal ‘teen takeover’ shooting.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office charged 17‑year‑old Ramon Javon Perez Smith of Detroit in connection with the non‑fatal shooting of a 14‑year‑old Detroit male. Prosecutor Kym Worthy confirmed that Smith will be tried as an adult.
Smith is charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon, and three counts of felony firearm.
He was arraigned Saturday and given a $500,000 cash bond, along with a GPS tether, house arrest, and an order barring contact with the victim or any witnesses. A bond re‑determination hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, before Judge McConico.
Another teen was also charged in the shooting that happened in downtown Detroit during the “teen takeover” event.
The preliminary hearing for a 16-year old from Detroit was held Tuesday on charges of carrying a concealed weapon. He received a $4,000 bond with house arrest.
He was also ordered not to possess any firearms or illegal substances. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for July 2.
Detroit police were called to the 1300 block of Farmer Street around 9:37 p.m. on May 17, after reports of a shooting. Officers arrived to find the teenage victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. Medics transported him to a nearby hospital where he received emergency treatment and is expected to survive.
According to investigators, Smith was involved in a physical altercation with a group that included the victim. Prosecutors allege that Smith pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots into the group, hitting the 14‑year‑old before fleeing the scene. Detroit police arrested Smith shortly afterward.
“We are thankful that the 14‑year‑old victim received immediate medical care and will survive this traumatic event,” Prosecutor Worthy said in the release.
mjohnson@detroitnews.com
At least three people are injured after separate weekend shootings across Detroit as of Saturday night.
According to police, a man on the 20600 block of West Eight Mile Road assaulted another man before firing shots on Saturday around 3:04 p.m. Officials said the man shot was grazed by at least one bullet and the suspected shooter was arrested. A weapon was recovered by law enforcement at the scene.
Roughly 40 minutes after the shooting on Eight Mile Road, a man was shot and had his vehicle stolen on the 19300 block of Rosemont Avenue, according to police. The man was sitting inside his gray Chevrolet Equinox when an unknown individual approached with a gun and demanded money.
Officials said the man in the Chevrolet was shot after he exited his vehicle. He was taken to the hospital and, as of Saturday night, is in stable condition. The individual who approached the man left the scene in the Equinox, according to police.
Just before 6 p.m. Saturday, a male teenager was shot while driving in the area of Woodward and West Hildale avenues, near Palmer Park, police said. According to officials, the teen, whose exact age has yet to be disclosed, was traveling in the area when an individual in another vehicle pulled alongside him and fired shots.
The teen was taken to the hospital. As of Saturday night, he is also in stable condition, officials said.
Police have yet to disclose whether an arrest has been made in the shootings on Rosemont Avenue or near Palmer Park.
-
Arkansas6 seconds agoArkansas State Police investigating after deadly shooting in Gould
-
California6 minutes agoChemical tank crack eases explosion fears as 50,000 residents flee California
-
Colorado12 minutes agoData center regulations elude Colorado lawmakers — again — as state grapples with booming industry
-
Connecticut18 minutes ago
New London, Connecticut: This walkable seaport city is a ferry trip from Long Island
-
Delaware24 minutes ago108-year-old Delaware Woman Renews Her Driver’s License to 2033, Works Out Thrice a Week
-
Florida30 minutes agoSpaceX launches rocket from Cape Canaveral on Memorial Day morning. See photos.
-
Georgia36 minutes agoAn Extremely Sweaty Love Letter to Georgia – The Trek
-
Hawaii42 minutes ago8 Reasons We Love Summer in Hawaiʻi
