Lansing, Michigan— Today British Ambassador to the United States Sir Kim Darroch met with Governor Rick Snyder to discuss how the UK and Michigan can work together to promote clean growth and automotive innovation (Pictures available here).

The Ambassador’s meetings in Michigan, which included stops in Lansing and Grand Rapids, are a part of his #GreatGreenRoadTrip across the Midwest in a Jaguar I-PACE, the British manufacturer’s first-ever all electric vehicle.

 In April this year, Governor Snyder signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the UK to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the UK and Michigan to advance a low-carbon automotive industry.

  British Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch said:

 “Following the Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year, the UK and Michigan have an even stronger working relationship promoting automotive innovation and sustainability. It was a pleasure to meet with Governor Snyder to discuss how we can build on the gains of the Memorandum, and allow for even greater collaboration between the UK and Michigan, particularly in electric and low emission vehicles.”

Governor Rick Snyder said:

 “Michigan and the UK have a strong relationship and long tradition of cooperation in the automotive sector. I am pleased to welcome Ambassador Darroch to Michigan and to continue our collaboration when it comes to electric vehicles and new automotive technologies and standards.”

A Chevy Bolt EV and the Ford Energi were on hand alongside the I-PACE to represent Michigan’s leadership in the field of electric vehicle technology during the meeting. Ambassador Darroch and Governor Snyder were also joined by Jeff Mason, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Kevin Kerrigan, Senior Vice President of the Automotive Office at the MEDC during the meeting.

The Ambassador also participated in a roundtable discussion at The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing with the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council.

British Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch said:

“The UK and Michigan are natural partners in the pursuit of a low carbon future. It was great to meet with the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council to discuss how our respective private and public energy sectors can work together to drive energy innovation.”

Liesl Clark, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, said:

“Creating a coordinated and collaborative strategy among the public, non-profit and private sectors is essential for the success of vehicle electrification in Michigan, and we look forward to partnering with the UK on initiatives to further promote emissions-free vehicles.”

The final stop on the Ambassador’s road trip through Michigan was at Jaguar Grand Rapids, a flagship dealership for the brand, where he delivered remarks to local customers and businesses to highlight UK automotive and clean energy leadership. To commemorate the visit, Jaguar Grand Rapids has pledged to only display electric and hybrid vehicles at the Michigan International Auto Show to promote the transition to a low carbon automotive future.

Michigan is doing meaningful work in clean growth, whether it’s Detroit’s leadership in low carbon vehicle innovation, Grand Rapids’ pioneering implementation of smart grid technology or the state’s goal of reaching 25% renewable energy by 2030. According to Clean Jobs Midwest, Michigan has more clean energy jobs than any other state in the Midwest, and just last year, the electric vehicle sector in Michigan grew by 37%, adding over 5,500 jobs. The UK hopes to partner with Michigan in this sector of shared economic and environmental importance.

The UK and Michigan already have a strong economic partnership. More than 250 British businesses call Michigan home, employing 24,000 people across the state, and the UK is Michigan’s 6th largest export market, supporting an additional 12,000 jobs across the state.

The UK is also a world leader in tackling climate change, making it a strategic partner to help Michigan achieve its clean growth objectives. Since 1990, the UK has cut emissions by 42%, while growing its economy by 67%. The UK was the first country to set legally-binding carbon targets (in 2008), and recently set out a number of new and ambitious clean growth targets as a part of its Clean Growth Strategy, including ending the sale of all gas cars by 2040 and halving the energy use of all new buildings by 2030.

As part of his #GreatGreenRoadTrip, the Ambassador is also stopping Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota to facilitate greater ties with state and city governments, businesses, and research organizations across the region to drive action toward a cleaner and more economically prosperous future for both the US and UK.

Pictures: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/073c6ba0bc4485d843eafcb371069c7420180827190050/0aca8a0aa48cb8a2ff7bc8df2c55601220180827190051/7eb16b (please note link expires in 7 days)

For questions, email Ben Seiden at ben.seiden@fco.gov.uk.