Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification recommends policy changes and investments to better position the state as a transportation leader

Michigan has announced more than 30,000 auto jobs since January 2019, strong growth driven by bipartisan economic development, workforce programs, focus on electrification and chips

LANSING, Mich.—Today, the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification released 16 policy recommendations to continue the state’s efforts to remain a global leader in mobility and electric vehicles. The recommendations were presented in the board’s 2022 annual report and are designed to help achieve the ambitious goals set out in Governor Whitmer’s MI Future Mobility Plan, Michigan’s new strategy to maintain global leadership in next-generation transportation until ‘in 2030.

“The future of mobility in Michigan is bright as we focus on responsive policy that meets the needs of our workers, our businesses and our communities,” said Trevor Ratchet, state mobility director and director of the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. “A state that focuses on new policy frameworks that take into account future mobility scenarios will have the agility to take on leadership positions as the transportation landscape rapidly evolves. By acting on these recommendations, we can achieve the goals of Governor Whitmer’s MI Future Mobility Plan and keep Michigan in the driving seat for decades to come.

The Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification was created by Governor Whitmer in 2020, bringing together leaders from the automotive industry, research universities, clean fuel advocates and state government to provide annual recommendations to state policy and ensuring that Michigan continues to be an epicenter. transport solutions of the future around mobility and electrification.

Members include Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota, Rivian, Waymo, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, United Auto Workers, majority and minority House and Senate legislators, Clean Fuels Michigan and eight state departments and agencies.

Over the past year, the council has engaged with stakeholders across the state in a series of task forces to identify ways to overcome mobility issues. These working groups were supported by subject matter experts from the Center for Automotive Research, Peracchio and Co., and the American Center for Mobility. Based on the findings of the working group and guided by the three pillars outlined in MI’s future mobility plan, the following recommendations were made:

Transition and growth of our mobility industry and workforce.

• Invest in bus rapid transit and spend $10 million to revive the state’s mobility challenges to address barriers to jobs and equity.

• Fund a public relations campaign to strengthen MI’s leadership in sustainability.
• Scale the Michigan EV Jobs Academy.
• Create a global center of excellence for responsible artificial intelligence.

Provide safer, greener and more accessible transport infrastructure

• Expand Michigan’s alternative fuel corridor opportunities for clean hydrogen and commission a study of hydrogen applications in commercial traffic.
• Develop accessibility standards for EV chargers.
• Create a public incentive for consumers of electric vehicles.
• Fund a $45 million bus electrification program.
• Expand the use of sinking funds to support the deployment of electric school buses.

• Support phase two of the MDOT Work Area Safety Pilot Program.
• Design a clean fuels standard that works for Michigan.

Global leader in mobility and electrification policy and innovation

• Invest $30 million in the development of UAS technology.
• Pass legislation to preserve Michigan’s uniform automated vehicle policy statewide.
• Maintain annual capacity support for state mobility agencies.
• Pass a law to create a tax credit for research and development of mobile talents.
• Continue to advocate with federal decision makers on important issues related to connected vehicles.

“To remain the world leader in mobility, Michigan must continue to reinvent public policy, invest in high-quality communities and infrastructure, and continue to deploy and test mobility innovations,” said Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and president of the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification. “We must also win more business attraction opportunities than our competitors and develop exceptional talent that will lead our state into the next generation of mobility.”

Since CFME’s 2021 Annual Report, major strides have been made to keep Michigan’s global mobility leadership intact. The main investments from 2022 include:

• General Motors is making a historic $7 billion investment in two Michigan plants to expand assembly operations and battery cell production.
• LG Energy Solution announces $1.7 billion investment to create 1,200 new jobs and accelerate battery production in Holland, Michigan.

These investments in the production of electric vehicles and advanced mobility are only the tip of the iceberg; more opportunities to invest in a skilled workforce, development and attraction of high-tech talent, infrastructure readiness and an attractive economic development environment are on the horizon.

“For 50 years, Michigan has been home to Toyota’s North American research and development operations, which are now our largest in the world outside of Japan,” said Derek Caveney, Senior Engineer – Integrated Vehicle Systems Division at Toyota North America. “This legacy of growth and success can be attributed to all the state has to offer. Through our participation in the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification, we are pleased to offer our perspective to help Michigan maintain a leadership position in mobility for the next generation.

“The policies detailed in this year’s Council report demonstrate the wide range of solutions available to unlock a cleaner and fairer transport system,” said Jane McCurry, Executive Director at Clean Fuels. “Effective and coordinated policies are needed to continue to grow clean fuel industries in Michigan. Capitalizing on the diverse opportunities available to us today – from federal funding to state policy initiatives – will create well-paying jobs and keep Michigan at the forefront of innovative mobility.”

“Rivian is proud to be part of the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification and supports the Council’s mission to develop the state’s comprehensive electrification strategy and coordinate specific goals, policies, and programs to serve all parties. stakeholders,” said Chris Nevers, Senior Director of Public Policy at Rivian. “The Council is leading by example on what states can do to accelerate the transition to electrification while thinking about accessibility, innovation and workforce development.”

The council looks forward to working with state legislators to implement these recommendations over the next year to help Michigan maintain its strong global leadership in mobility and electrification.

To learn more about the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification and the MI Future Mobility Plan, visit www.michiganbusiness.org/ofme.