MADISON, Wis. -- Madison Gas and Electric announced Thursday a first-of-its-kind program setting up a network of electric vehicle recharging stations in Madison.

A challenge with electric vehicles has always been range. They can't travel too far and finding a place to recharge isn't easy.

MG&E will become the first municipal utility to provide electric vehicle charging stations.

A half-dozen will be installed to start, WISC-TV reported.

"There's a need that's growing right now, for electric vehicles in this country. They're already here, they're being sold, they're being converted and so-forth," said Steve Kraus, of MG&E.

MG&E said there are an estimated 25 to 75 electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles in Madison.

MG&E said it wants to be prepared when that number rises.

"One of the things we're trying to do with the charging station is to try and understand and learn how people will charge their vehicles before that happens," said Don Peterson, MG&E executive director of energy products and services.

Customers will likely use a pre-paid key fob to access the charging station.

MG& is looking to have the charging stations powered by alternative energy, such was wind power.

"By using an all-electric vehicle, you'll be able to offset all of the emissions that normally would go with using a car on the road by charging at one of these stations," said Kraus.

The first charging station should be installed sometime this summer, though officials are still looking for locations.

Likely spots include a parking garage, a movie theater or shopping mall.

"It's not going to be a gas station. It's not going to be some place where people stop for five or 10 minutes," said Peterson.

MG&E said it hopes its project works as a model for other utilities across the country and that plug-in drivers will be excited about the project.

The system will actually send a text message to the car's owner when it's done charging.

Officials said they anticipate more plug-in cars in Madison very soon. Smart Motors is now converting Toyota Prius' to use larger, longer-life plug-in batteries.