This mobility newsletter was originally published on June 29, 2018.

Ford Revamps Abandoned Detroit Train Station for Advanced Mobility Work

Source: The Verge.

Ford Motor Company, based in Dearborn, has announced plans to revamp the abandoned Michigan Central Station in Detroit. At the announcement on June 19, Ford executives and Michigan politicians said that the station would serve as the centerpiece for a new Detroit campus focused on electric and autonomous vehicles. The automaker has also purchased the adjacent Detroit Public Schools Book Depository building, a former brass factory, and two acres of vacant land to build out its presence in Detroit.

“It’s time to remake the station into a place of possibility again,” said Ford Chairman Bill Ford. “Make it really part of the reinvention of transportation for the future.”

Ford will move its 2,500-person mobility team, including electric vehicle and autonomous vehicle workers, to the station when it reopens, and also plans to add 2,500 additional workers at a later date.

The station is expected to reopen in 2022, after renovations are completed.

Michigan EIBC Holds EV Convening on Charging Infrastructure Deployment

On Thursday, June 14, 2018, Michigan EIBC held its third of five electric vehicle (EV) convenings at the Michigan Agency for Energy’s office in Lansing. The meeting – attended by leaders in mobility and energy storage, state regulators, and other interested parties – focused on DC fast charging, long-dwell charging, and charging infrastructure deployment.

Michigan EIBC president Liesl Eichler Clark kicked off the meeting with an overview of Michigan’s progress on vehicle electrification so far, including the Michigan Public Service Commission’s EV Technical Conferences, the Institute for Energy Innovation’s MEC4: Powering Mobility Conference and release of the “Powering the Mobility Revolution” report, and Michigan EIBC’s first two EV convenings.

Next, Jeff Mason, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Coalition, shared that EV deployment is expected to be 30% worldwide with 36 million vehicles by 2040 and that Michigan’s aim is to be front and center. Mason said the convergence of energy and mobility is an important strategic point for Michigan to solve correctly. Michigan needs to invest in adequate charging infrastructure to support consumer adoption, Mason argued. Mason pointed out that Michigan is in a unique position due to the strength of the vehicle and battery industry including important supporting market development like electrolytes, cathodes and more.

Next, Shanna Draheim, Director of Policy Development for the Michigan Municipal League, and Jukka Kukkonen, founder of PlugInConnect, spoke on a panel about residential and workplace charging. Draheim explained that investing in advanced mobility, vehicle electrification and EV charging can make communities more attractive to potential residents and businesses. Kukkonen argued that the best way for utilities to create a sound environment for EVs is to look at the bigger picture and understand the needs of building owners and other stakeholders. He described several common utility EV programs, including time-of-use rates and hourly pricing, charging infrastructure incentives, controlled charging programs such as load sharing and smart charging, as well as workplace, apartment and condo charging programs. Ultimately, Kukkonen argued that utilities should spend more time and money investing in apartment and condominium charging programs, because the ability to charge at home can make a significant impact for multi-unit dwelling residents. Finally, he emphasized that utilities need to be ready to adjust their programs as markets change.

After the panel on residential and workplace charging, Robert Jackson, Director of the Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE), discussed ways to set the stage for DC fast charging in Michigan. MAE leads the strategic development for the Michigan Volkswagen settlement funds and has commissioned a study by Michigan State University to assess the optimal locations for highway DCFC stations in Michigan.

Next, MPSC Commissioner Norm Saari moderated a panel on accelerating DCFC deployment in Michigan, with Marcy Bauer, Director of Program Operations for EVGo and Sophie Shulman, Business Development and Partnerships Manager for Electrify America, as panelists. Bauer touched on the importance of giving new EV drivers, especially renters and test drivers, positive first DCFC experiences to help break down barriers for the next level of EV adoption. She emphasized that customers’ DCFC experiences need to not only be convenient and easy, but fast. Shulman noted that the primary barriers to EV adoption are lack of charging infrastructure, slow charging speeds, and lack of customer awareness. She emphasized the importance of having accessible and visible DCFC stations along the highway, having multiple chargers at each station to account for maintenance issues and queuing, and partnering with businesses to give customers something to do while their car is charging.

Matt Stanberry with Advanced Energy Economy closed the 3^rdEV Convening by highlighting issues for participants to continue to think about, including policies around multi-unit dwellings, ways to build additional public-private partnerships, ways to build flexible and adaptable technology, and the importance of DCFC deployment and partnerships to enable EV adoption.

The fourth EV Convening, which will cover fleet deployment, is scheduled for July 18 at the Michigan Agency for Energy’s office in Lansing. Interested parties can register here.

Mobility Newsclips

In Michigan

• Michigan mobility startups can earn up to $1 million in grants for autonomous vehicle (AV) testing from PlanetM.
• General Motors announced plans to increase EV and AV production, as well as increased clean energy sourcing.
• Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities hosted EV Ride-and-Drives this month.
• LG Chem, a leading advanced battery manufacturer, will hire 40 more workers at a Holland, Michigan, plant as it ramps up components for electric vehicles.

From Washington

• The EPA submitted a proposal to weaken Obama-era vehicle efficiency standards. The move is expected to result in legal battles with several states.

Across the Country

• Citing the Trump administration’s rollback of emission standards, nine states roll out a plan to boost electric vehicle sales.
• According to the International Energy Agency, the number of EVS worldwide is expected to tripleby 2020.
• EVGo, a company represented at Michigan EIBC’s 3^rdEV Convening, simplified the pricing structurefor the largest public DC fast charging network in the country.
• Using solar to charge EVs was a themeat this year’s Midwest Renewable Energy Association fair.
• California regulators approved a $750 million plan to expand the state’s EV infrastructure and rebate programs.
• New Jersey’s largest utility owner, Public Service Enterprise Group, spelled out a plan to invest $300 million in EV charging stations.
• The New York Power Authority will spend up to $250 million on charging stations.
• Illinois wants to spend $10.8 million in Volkswagen settlement funds on electric school buses.
• Some states having trouble getting restitution from Volkswagen under state environmental laws.
• A California agency is on the cutting edge of a trend to electrify heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
• Honda and General Motors will partner on “next-gen” EV batteries with greater energy density, smaller packaging and faster re-charging.
• Tesla will cut 9% of its workforce, or about 3,600 employees and maintain production levels in an attempt to turn a profit this year.

Events to Watch:
On July 17-19, PlugVolt will be hosting its next Battery Seminar in Plymouth, Michigan (USA), featuring an entire day of in-depth training by EnerDelon Lithium Ion technology, alongside complementary industry updates by automotive and grid storage OEMs, global battery manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers. Attendees also get a tour of Intertek’s Battery Testing Center. Register here.

Michigan EIBC’s fourth EV Convening on fleet deployment is scheduled for July 18 at the Michigan Agency for Energy’s office in Lansing. Register here.

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. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

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.