FLO held a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month in Auburn Hills to celebrate the opening of its first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility. Expected to support 730 jobs by 2028, including creating 133 jobs in 2023, the facility builds on Michigan’s momentum of leading electric vehicle-related investments as the state prepares for an electric future.

“Our new facility will establish FLO’s American operational foothold, helping us to create jobs, strengthen charging infrastructure, and meet the charging needs of EV drivers nationwide. Michigan has created a clear roadmap for success for EV charging companies like FLO, providing funding and launching initiatives aimed at expanding charging access and accelerating EV adoption. We look forward to building the efficient, reliable, and safe charging network of tomorrow, right here in Michigan,” said Louis Tremblay, FLO President and CEO.

The Auburn Hills facility is slated to start production later this year and will continue scaling up workforce and production. An economic report released by BMW Research estimates the facility will generate $51.7 million in labor income for Michigan workers that benefit from the construction and operations of the facility. It is projected to generate $134 million in revenue from sales of EV chargers and $76 million in gross state product in the state of Michigan by 2028.

Since Governor Gretchen Whitmer took office, companies have announced more than 30,000 good-paying auto jobs-from line workers to engineers-building on the state’s legendary automotive heritage and securing the future of mobility and electrification in Michigan. The news comes on the heels of recent news of Gotion’s $2.36 billion investment in Big Rapids, creating 2,350 jobs, and Our Next Energy’s $1.6 billion investment, creating 2,112 jobs in Van Buren Township.

“Michigan put the world on wheels and over the last few years, we have worked together to bring home transformational investments building on our legendary manufacturing heritage to grow our economy,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have announced over 30,000 good-paying auto jobs including major investments from the Big Three and projects building EVs, batteries, and semiconductor chips in Michigan, supporting critical supply chains. I will work with anyone and compete with everyone to build on our economic momentum, create good-paying jobs, and bring investment to every region of our great state.”

Ann Arbor-based May Mobility has launched a fleet of wheelchair-accessible AVs as part of a groundbreaking project with Via. It is the first public transit program using American Disability Act (ADA)-compliant AVs to be operated in a rural area of the U.S. The service is the latest partnership between the two companies, which have previously worked together on projects to supplement public transport services with AVs in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“Ensuring that AVs are developed in a way that advances transportation equity goals is a key pillar for May Mobility,” said Erin McCurry, product manager and accessibility lead at May Mobility. “In the U.S., 3.6 million people do not leave their homes because of travel-limiting disabilities. As we transition our fleet to the Sienna Autono-MaaS platform, we are working towards a future where everyone has access to safe, reliable transportation.”

Although the rides are available to everyone, May Mobility and Via say they are “designed to serve those without a private car or who have mobility challenges – with the aim of using technology to help everyone achieve an independent lifestyle supported by convenient travel, regardless of income or ability.”

Aurrigo International, a global leader in transport technology, has donated an electric AV to Western Michigan University’s Energy Efficient and Autonomous Vehicle (EEAV) Lab, giving students a proven platform for hands-on education and research opportunities. The new research opportunities will position Western’s students to be at the forefront of emerging technologies and set them up for success in the sustainable energy field.

“We have been working with Aurrigo since the first Michigan Mobility Challenge in 2018, where two Auto-Pods were piloted on WMU’s campus in collaboration with several other companies,” said Dr. Zach Asher, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and EEAV Lab director. “With this donation, we are able to expand ongoing efforts at WMU in EV and AV research, education, and technology commercialization.”

As a part of its continuing commitment to sustainability, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) in Metro Detroit has introduced the first of four EVs that will begin driving riders. The state-of-the-art EVs, supported by DTE, will operate on a zero-emissions platform, and reduce air and noise pollution. The first vehicle began service along select routes in September, and the remaining vehicles are expected to be in service by the end of October 2022.

“Sustainability is what brings us here today as we launch our new electric buses into service,” said Dwight Ferrell, general manager of SMART. “They not only represent a new, cleaner method for people to connect to where they need to go, but a new way for SMART to reduce our carbon footprint and help improve air quality.”

SMART is also in the process of providing first-responder training for communities along the routes that will be served by the electric buses. SMART will monitor the vehicles’ performance to record and report the new bus’s operating efficiencies over traditional transit.

OFME and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have partnered to launch the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP) aimed at providing vital grant funding to mobility and electrification companies of all sizes looking to deploy their technology in Michigan. Grants are focused on catalyzing and scaling mobility solutions across three key areas of focus:

• Sustainable Futures: Improve environmental sustainability by encouraging EV adoption and the buildout of EV charging infrastructure
• Equitable Futures: Alleviate mobility barriers and increase access to affordable and reliable transportation options
• Multimodal Transportation: Modernize existing transportation systems and keep Michigan at the forefront across all connected and autonomous transportation modes

For Michigan-based entities working to address a mobility/electrification challenge or solution providers looking to find a Michigan-based partner, additional Interest Forms are available to support those seeking and providing solutions through the MMFP.

More information about eligibility for testing environments and real-world deployments, as well as past grant recipients, is available here. The current rolling application period ends December 31, 2022.

• DriveElectric.gov – Information on all federal EV-related news and opportunities
• DOE Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding Opportunities – The latest notices and RFP opportunities for programs related to clean energy and lower carbon emissions
• H2 Matchmaker – An online resource to help hydrogen suppliers and users identify stakeholders across the supply chain
• MICHauto – Organization that promotes, retains, and grows Michigan’s signature industry as the stat