Newsletter: EIBC Hosts 4th EV Convening on Fleet Electrification

This newsletter was originally published on July 19, 2018.

EIBC Hosts 4th EV Convening on Fleet Electrification

On July 18, Michigan EIBC convened electric vehicle (EV) and advanced mobility stakeholders to share information and discuss strategies for electrifying fleets. The event, which was hosted at the Michigan Agency for Energy’s office in Lansing, was sponsored by the ride-sharing giant and Michigan EIBC member company Lyft. The convening was the 4th installment of Michigan EIBC’s recent series of EV convenings, which are designed to bring together market, policy, and technology stakeholders to accelerate electrification in Michigan by building a cohesive, collaborative strategy for EV infrastructure deployment.

Glenn Stevens, executive director of MICHauto, opened the convening with an overview of the opportunities that advanced mobility and vehicle electrification offer Michigan, while identifying key strategies to move the industry forward. Stevens noted that Michigan can and should be a leader in the automated, connected, electrified, and shared mobility future. MICHauto is driving toward this future through the Michigan Mobility Initiative, which is helping by driving progress on research and development, branding, policy, and talent attraction and development.

Three panel discussions on (1) trends in fleet electrification, (2) medium and heavy-duty fleet electrification, and (3) electrification of ride sharing and the future of mobility systems comprised the rest of the meeting. On the first panel, Sara Forni of Ceres and David Peterson of Michigan EIBC member company ChargePoint gave their thoughts on the overall trends, opportunities, and challenges to fleet electrification. Forni outlined how electrification can help companies meet climate and emissions goals, improve workforce recruitment and retention, provide reputational benefits for companies, improve workplace safety, offer consistent fuel supply and price stability, and lead to overall cost savings. Peterson urged the audience to approach fleet electrification as a distinct process for each company, working with existing fleet operations and staff expertise to develop the best solutions for each company’s needs.

On the second panel, Stuart Irwin of Michigan EIBC member company EVolution EV Systems, Rich Weiner of Michigan EIBC member company Schneider Electric, and David McEllis of the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) spoke about medium and heavy-duty fleet electrification. Irwin provided an overview of medium and light-duty applications, highlighting some of the largest recent electrification deployments of commercial truck fleets. Weiner discussed Schneider’s work electrifying fleets, emphasizing that the total cost of ownership makes electric fleets appealing, particularly due to reduced maintenance costs and fuel costs. Finally, David McEllis spoke specifically about electrifying school buses, describing ELPC’s work to leverage VW settlement funds to this end.

Charles Griffith of the Ecology Center moderated the third panel on electrification of ride sharing and the future of mobility systems. Panelists Matt Patton of Lyft and Mike Alaimo of Clean Fuels Michigan provided an overview of the ride-sharing landscape. Patton emphasized the environmental and logistical benefits of ride-sharing while Alaimo suggested that cities pursuing electrification can help encourage ride-sharing services to electrify by providing incentives for charging and parking for EVs.

The convening closed with an eye toward next steps. The final convening on August 15will focus on rate design, the utility pilot programs, and future opportunities for this stakeholder group to advance EVs in Michigan.

Michigan EIBC Regulatory Initiative Kickoff Call

Today, July 19, Michigan EIBC will kick off its new regulatory initiative via phone with participating companies. The initiative will track regulatory proceedings for participating companies, while gathering input on Michigan EIBC regulatory strategy for the next 12 months. If your company is interested in participating, please email Laura Sherman at laura@mieibc.org.

Energy Innovators Gala Keynote to be Announced Next Week

Michigan EIBC’s 6thAnnual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala is November 14, 2018, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Michigan. This event recognizes individuals and businesses who have worked to build Michigan’s advanced energy sector. At the event, awards will be handed out for Business of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, Employer of the Year, and Public Official of the Year. There will also be plenty of time for networking.

This year’s keynote speaker has already been confirmed, but we’re not spilling the beans yet! Stay tuned for an announcement on July 25!

Save the date – registration for this event will open soon.

New Members


EVolution Electric Vehicle Systems, LLC provides electric vehicle charging infrastructure, on and off vehicle high voltage battery charging products, and a wide variety of components for electric vehicle charging. EVolution EVS works with customers throughout the State of Michigan and across USA through their affiliation with ClipperCreek providing level 2 EV charging infrastructure for all applications from basic home charging station to the most advanced networked EV charging systems for commercial EV fleets and high density public parking lots also with a focus on providing market leading value and product reliability. We have been increasingly involved in the expanding technologies involved with EV charging including Vehicle to Grid, EV battery re-purposing, Solar energy storage, EV charger energy monitoring and advanced load management.

Michigan Energy Stories

National Energy Stories

National Energy Leaders

  • Denver’s mayor lays out an ambitious plan to get 100% of the city’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
  • A California utility’s plan to install four large battery projects is the latest example of how storage technology is taking off amid falling solar prices and favorable state and national policies.
  • Southern California Edison proposes a $760 million light-duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure program.
  • In Florida, customers are paying extra to their utility for solar trees.

Michigan Energy Events
MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s Fundamentals Program. The event will provide essential education in the theory, principles, and practice of economic regulation organized by disciplinary perspectives, core functions, and utility sector applications. It will take place August 6-10 in East Lansing.

MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s Intermediate Program. The event will provide essential education in regulatory jurisdiction and governance, utility market structures, and current trends, drivers, and policy issues across the sectors. It will take place August 13-17 in East Lansing.

On August 15, Michigan EIBC will host its fifth EV Convening on rate design and future engagement at the Michigan Agency for Energy’s office in Lansing. Register here.

IEI is hosting a Mobility 101 Lunch & Learn at the House Office Building in Lansing on September 12. This event will be open to legislators and legislative staff, as well as Michigan EIBC members. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

Hosted in Novi, Michigan September 11-13, The Battery Show North America will bring together more than 8,000 engineers and executives and more than 600 leading suppliers across the advanced battery supply chain. The conference will cover advanced battery technologies, electric and hybrid vehicle technology, and critical power technologies. Learn more and register here.

MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s 13th Advanced Regulatory Studies Program: Ratemaking, Accounting, Finance, and Evaluation. The event will provide intensive, interactive, and technical workshops for experienced professionals in the regulatory policy community. It will take place October 1-5 in East Lansing.

Michigan EIBC will host a members-only election recap on Friday, November 9. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

Save the Date: Michigan EIBC’s Annual Energy Innovator’s Gala is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, in Lansing. Watch your inboxes for a formal invitation, agenda, and registration details.

IEI will host a Corporate Purchasers Lunch & Learn at the House Office Building in Lansing on December 5. This event will be open to legislators and legislative staff, as well as Michigan EIBC members. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

National Energy Events   
Registration is now open for the TransGrid-X 2030 SymposiumJuly 26, in Ames, Iowa. The event will showcase the long-awaited NREL Seam Study — a concept featuring bi-directional high-voltage transmission; 600 GW of wind, solar and gas-fired generation; and a trillion-dollar economic event, if fully built.

EUCI invites you to the Compensation for Distributed Energy Resources in a Low-Cost Marginal World conference, July 30-31 in Austin, Texas. Register here.

EUCI invites you to the Smart Cities 2018 Conference on August 13-14 in Columbus, Ohio. Register here.

The 2018 Veteran’s Energy Seminar Series is scheduled for San Diego (8/18)Chicago (8/30), and Boston (9/27). If you are interested in speaking or sponsoring an event, please visit www.vetsenergyseminar.org/speakers or www.vetsenergyseminar.org/donate.

EUCI invites you to the Retooling PURPA conference on August 20-21 in Atlanta, Georgia. Register here.

EUCI invites you to Renewable Energy 101, September 10-11, in Chicago, Illinois. Register here.

EUCI invites you to the “Land Lease Agreements for Renewable Energy 101” conference on September 13-14, in Austin, Texas. Register here.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) invite you to Solar Power International, September 24-27, in Anaheim, California. Registration opens in spring of 2018 here.

EUCI invites you to a FERC Transmission Ratemaking Conference, October 1 – 2, in Denver, Colorado. Register here.

MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s 46th Eastern NARUC Utility Rate School. The event provides comprehensive hands-on training on the basics of the public utility ratemaking process and is sponsored by the NARUC Committee on Water and featuring group work on a mock water utility rate case. It will take place October 22-26 in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Join 20,000 energy professionals at the Energy Storage North America Solar+Storage Summit November 6-8 in Pasadena, California. Register here.

Announcements and Opportunities
A podcast covers the energy and climate races to watch in the 2018 midterm election.