This story was originally posted in the January issue of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Detroiter magazine. Read more at www.Detroiter.org.

To better position the state for the coming electrification of the automotive industry, the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC), alongside MICHauto and more than 70 statewide industry stakeholder groups, recently released a new set of recommendations aimed at driving Michigan’s advanced mobility industry forward in a new report.

The report details recommendations for policymakers, organizations and businesses and is the culmination of five sessions that took place over the past year in which automotive industry leaders, utility companies, policymakers, regulators and others came together to discuss the future of Michigan’s advanced mobility industry and share ideas for success.

“As the advanced mobility state, the answer to ‘What’s going on in Michigan?’ needs to be that we’re creating the premiere electric vehicle program in the nation,” said Liesl Eichler Clark, Michigan EIBC president in a press release. “Mobility is and will continue to be an essential part of Michigan’s economy, and the future of the industry, from shared rides, automated and connected mobility, will hinge on electrified vehicles.”
 

Michigan must own electrification

The convenings were organized to inform industry leaders of the economic opportunities and benefits of an accelerated advanced mobility sector in Michigan. Discussions focused on utility pilot programs, customer education and awareness, fast-charging infrastructure, fleet electrification, and rate design.

The consensus from the group is that automated, connected and shared vehicles will not become a reality on Michigan roads without widescale vehicle electrification.

“The convergence of the energy and mobility sectors represents significant opportunities to merge our state’s engineering and automotive expertise with the power industry,” said Glenn Stevens, executive director of MICHauto, “The report’s recommendations provide a roadmap for the future success of Michigan’s advanced mobility industry, and we are eager to get to work implementing these strategies.”

The full report is available at https://mieibc.org.

Key takeaways:

  • Utility companies should consider collaborating with schools to educate students and parents on EVs, potentially using science classes, tech classes, or electric bus fleets.
     
  • Build a community of businesses, non-governmental organizations, and government organizations to support the idea that Michigan is leading the mobility revolution with EVs. This could be done through storytelling and the Pure Michigan campaign.
     
  • Conduct more ride and drive events that include charging demos so that customers are able to experience the cars and charging infrastructure.
     
  • Public-private partnerships, rate design, and policy incentives for DC fast-charging infrastructure deployment will create a climate where EVs and advanced mobility can flourish in Michigan.