Newsletter: Michigan Focuses Attention on Mobility

This mobility newsletter was originally sent on June 1, 2018.

Michigan Focuses Attention on Mobility

This past week, mobility has been at the center of attention for state leaders. At the annual Mackinac Policy Conference, elected officials, advocates, and industry leaders discussed the electric, autonomous, and connected future of the automotive industry. The keynote address given by Don Butler, executive director of Connected Vehicle Platform and Product of Ford Mobility, brought these themes together. “Today’s mobility model will not work for our tomorrow,” said Butler, emphasizing a need for a different approach to increase access to mobility.

Several other panels at the conference addressed mobility as well: A “Mobility State” panel, featuring panelists Pavan Agarwal, Carla Bailo, Senator Gary Peters, David Sampson, and John McElroy, touched on what it will take to establish a best-in-class regulatory environment, the barriers that have yet to be addressed, and the ensuing challenges for insurance, infrastructure and other key industries. The “Training for the Future” panel, featuring panelists Carla Bailo, Mark Muro, Dan Varner, and Dave Egner, addressed how automation and technology are leading to a future with higher productivity and efficiency and increased safety and convenience. The panel discussed how to match training with workforce needs, the skills necessary to be successful in the mobility industry, and how industry can work collaboratively with training entities to establish viable career paths for low- and middle-income workers.

On Wednesday at the conference, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced the launch of an $8 million Michigan Mobility Challenge grant program to fund projects to improve mobility for the elderly, disabled, and veterans. The program aims to connect the Michigan’s technology, start-up and transportation sectors, as well as service providers and advocacy groups. It will also engage state agencies, including the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Bureau of Services to Blind Persons. Snyder challenged attendees to show their creativity in developing solutions that help some of the state’s underserved populations.

“As residents change the way they live, travel, and use services, many of the technologies that are changing the transportation industry will be designed, tested, and created in Michigan,” said Governor Snyder. “The $8 Million Michigan Mobility Challenge provides an opportunity to deliver innovative transportation solutions and further position the state as a leader in startup testing and deployment.”

To add to the momentum, events in the next few weeks will continue to focus state leaders’ attention on mobility. The Intelligent Transportation Society of America’s 2018 Annual Meeting will be held in Detroit next week, June 4-7. The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS) advances the research and deployment of intelligent transportation technologies to save lives, improve mobility, promote sustainability, and increase efficiency and productivity. And on June 14, Michigan EIBC will host the next EV convening, focused on DC fast charging and residential/workplace charging in Lansing. Speakers will include Jeff Mason, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Shanna Draheim, Director of Policy Development for the Michigan Municipal League, Jukka Kukkonen, founder of PlugInConnect, Sophie Shulman, Business Development and Partnerships Manager for Electrify America, Adam Mohabbat, EV Charging Market Development and Product Strategist for EVGo, and Robert Jackson, Director of the Michigan Agency for Energy.

If you are interested in joining the conversation the future of vehicle electrification and charging infrastructure deployment in Michigan, you can download the agenda here and register for the 3rdEV Convening here.

 

Mobility Newsclips

In Michigan
  • Consumers Energy filed a three-year, $7.5 million pilot EV charging station plan with state of Michigan. This is the state’s first plan by a public utility to build a network or charging stations for EVs.
  • A University of Michigan researcher says that rolling back fuel efficiency standards is not justified by declining gasoline prices or otherwise.
  • Utilities and oil interest groups clashed over EV policy at a conservative policy summit.
  • Researchers in Michigan are looking to maximize the environmental benefits of electric and autonomous vehicles. 
  • Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan testified before the House Energy Policy Committee detailing ongoing efforts to advance alternative fuel vehicles in Michigan in a second hearing on the topic organized by Representative Bellino.
  • The city of Detroit addresses local mobility issues for residents, visitors, and employers.
  • The Green Room asks, “can automated vehicles drive an energy-saving future?”
  • Clean mobility is making an impact in Michigan, contributing $18 billion to the state economy and upwards of $700 million in tax revenue annually, and creating more than 69,000 jobs.
From Washington
Across the Country

 

 

Events to Watch:

Michigan EIBC’s third EV Convening on DC fast charging and long-dwell charging is scheduled for June 14at the Michigan Agency for Energy’s office in Lansing. The meeting will featurespeakers including Jeff Mason, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Sophie Shulman, Business Development and Partnerships Manager for Electrify America; and Robert Jackson, Director of the Michigan Agency for Energy. Register here.

You’re invited to the EV Roadmap 11June 19-20 in Portland, Oregon. Register here.

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 fleets is scheduled for July 18 at the Michigan Agency for Energy’s office in Lansing. Watch your inboxes for registration details.