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Michigan Mobility and Electrification Report Mid-December 2021

Michigan Business Network
December 16, 2021 4:00 PM

ofme-230Governor Whitmer Announces Grants to Bolster Mobility Ecosystems and Increase Accessibility in the State

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday the second round of Michigan Mobility Funding Platform grants, which will support initiatives that underscore Michigan’s commitment to providing more accessible, equitable, and sustainable mobility options. Seven mobility companies – AbleLink Smart Living Technologies, Fermata Energy, iSmartWays, Lazarillo, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Michigan State University, and Stantec – received more than $618,000 in funding to deploy pilot mobility projects in Michigan that will help augment electric vehicle (EV) adoption as well as address various mobility barriers throughout the state.

“These grants and the projects they fund are helping us put Michiganders first, growing our economy, and positioning Michigan as a leader in the development and implementation of safe, sustainable mobility solutions,” said Governor Whitmer. “Through these community-led initiatives and technologies, our residents will be empowered to take control of their transportation options with more accessible and affordable solutions that will lead to a greater quality of life here in Michigan.”

More than $618,000 in grant funding awarded in second round of Michigan Mobility Funding Platform helping to facilitate programs in Southeast Michigan, Washtenaw, and Ingham Counties

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today the second round of Michigan Mobility Funding Platform grants, which will support initiatives that underscore Michigan’s commitment to providing more accessible, equitable, and sustainable mobility options. Seven mobility companies – AbleLink Smart Living Technologies, Fermata Energy, iSmartWays, Lazarillo, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Michigan State University, and Stantec – received more than $618,000 in funding to deploy pilot mobility projects in Michigan that will help augment electric vehicle (EV) adoption as well as address various mobility barriers throughout the state.

“These grants and the projects they fund are helping us put Michiganders first, growing our economy and positioning Michigan as a leader in the development and implementation of safe, sustainable mobility solutions,” said Governor Whitmer. “Through these community-led initiatives and technologies, our residents will be empowered to take control of their transportation options with more accessible and affordable solutions that will lead to a greater quality of life here in Michigan.”

Launched by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform provides grants to mobility and electrification organizations looking to deploy solutions in the state of Michigan.

“Michigan is leading the charge in mobility innovation, developing solutions that not only address transportation challenges here in Michigan, but help solve universal issues by testing, developing and deploying technologies with meaningful real-world applications,” said Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer with the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. “We are pleased to further support mobility innovators and their initiatives through these grants, as they represent both Michigan’s commitment to collaboration as well as its focus on supporting and next-generation startups and technologies.”

Today’s announcement of the second round of grants through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform follows the news of the first round grant winners in September 2021, when $440,000 was awarded to five projects. With these seven new grants, a total of $1,058,690 has been awarded through the program in 2021.

The Michigan Mobility Funding Platform grants focus on catalyzing and scaling mobility solutions that improve environmental sustainability by encouraging electric vehicle (EV) adoption and the buildout of EV charging infrastructure, alleviate mobility barriers and increase access to affordable and reliable transportation options and modernize existing transportation systems. OFME has partnered with NextEnergy and Newlab to help review and administer grant applications, which are accepted on a rolling basis at michiganbusiness.org/mobility-funding.

Michigan Mobility Funding Platform Grant recipients are as follows:

AbleLink Smart Living Technologies ($100,000 – Wayne, Oakland. Macomb, and Washtenaw Counties)
In collaboration with W.A.V.E (Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express), Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC), and Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), AbleLink Smart Living Technologies will help make independent travel more accessible to individuals with cognitive disabilities or those experiencing cognitive decline by implementing its WayFinder Ecosystem into the transit systems serving Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties. With the Ecosystem in place, users who typically have challenges learning fixed transit routes will be able to safely access and learn routes and build confidence in their independent transportation skills.

“For a person with cognitive disabilities, being able to ride the bus by yourself offers the opportunity to get a job, visit friends and family, and the freedom to go where you want – when you want,” said Daniel K. Davies, Founder, and President, AbleLink Smart Living Technologies, LLC. “We are excited to begin this effort to deploy the WayFinder travel support system for residents of Southeast Michigan. We appreciate the interest of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification in exploring this innovative technology to help overcome barriers to independent travel.”

Fermata Energy ($93,690 - Detroit)
In partnership with Sway Mobility and Bedrock, Fermata Energy will utilize a Nissan LEAF electric vehicle (EV) to provide mobility and building load management at a Bedrock development site in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. Specifically, Fermata Energy’s bidirectional EV charger and proprietary energy management software will help manage energy costs with Sway Mobility’s equitably accessible carshare-as-a-service. The project aims to provide low-cost, clean mobility to Corktown residents who would not otherwise have access to EVs, while providing electricity cost savings for businesses through vehicle-to-building (V2B) charge management.

“Michigan is at the core of the electric vehicle revolution,” said David Slutzky, founder, and CEO, Fermata Energy. “While everyone is focused on range, Fermata Energy is focused on how parked EVs can power buildings and the grid through our vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, and how we can help make EVs more affordable. Our company is grateful to have this opportunity to work with the State of Michigan and be a part of the Michigan Mobility Platform."

iSmartWays ($100,000 - Detroit)
iSmartWays is partnering with The Connected and Autonomous Driving (CAR) Lab at Wayne State University, WSP USA, and Qualcomm to deploy connected intersections on the University’s campus in Detroit’s Midtown area, as well as connectivity technology on the University’s fleet vehicles. The goal of the project is to improve safety, reduce congestion, optimize traffic flow and improve fleet vehicle arrival times.

“We are very excited to deploy connected intersections in Detroit Midtown,” said Walter Espinoza, vice president of operations, iSmartWays. “Together with our partners, we will also deploy our C-V2X technology on university fleet vehicles and build a real-world living lab environment where partners and other ecosystem players can research and validate future Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems solutions. We are very appreciative of the financial support provided by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Michigan Department of Transportation under the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform.”

Lazarillo ($75,000 - Detroit)
Lazarillo will work to improve mobility and accessibility for people with visual disabilities living in key areas and neighborhoods within Detroit, such as Corktown, Midtown, Mexicantown, and Downtown. In partnership with Newlab, Ford, Eyelearn, and public transit groups including the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), Qline, and the People Mover, Lazarillo will enhance geolocation services for public transportation systems in Detroit as well as map street intersections, sidewalks and businesses in the area to help users with visual impairments reach their destinations with more precision and navigate city life more safely.

"The team at Lazarillo is so excited and grateful for the opportunity provided by this grant,” said René Espinoza, founder, and CEO, Lazarillo. “It’s going to help us reach and support more people with disabilities in Michigan, and help small businesses improve their accessibility in-person and online."

Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America ($150,000)
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, in collaboration with Meijer, will test and deploy autonomous vehicle infrastructure that will enable Meijer distribution centers to automate the movement of their trailers around distribution center lots. The program helps address ongoing driver and labor shortages, and could ultimately be applied at other distribution centers, ports, and public infrastructures.

“Innovation has always been a driving force in the way we do business at Meijer,” said Mike Graham, senior vice president of Supply Chain and Manufacturing, Meijer. “This pilot program with Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America has the potential to provide more efficiency in our operations, while also offering a look into the future of autonomous vehicle technology.”

“The support of the MEDC has been invaluable throughout this process,” said Mark Rakoski, vice president, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America. “The selection for this grant and collaboration with Meijer really accelerated the project and allowed us to deploy our technology right here in Michigan.”

Michigan State University ($100,000 – Ingham County)
Michigan State University, together with Qnergy Co., Bollinger Motors, and Ingham County, will develop a mobile waste-to-electricity solution to allow small- and medium-scale farm operations to convert organic wastes into electricity for electric vehicles or farm equipment. The project will help meet the ever-growing demand for energy while alleviating negative environmental impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting water resources.

“The system developed by this project to link rural biogas generation and rural electric vehicle charging solutions could lead to a win-win-win solution for rural communities, the electric vehicle industry, and the environment,” said Dr. Wei Liao, professor and director, Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Michigan State University.

Stantec ($100,000 – Oakland County)
Stantec – along with partners POCO Labs, Shyft, evTS, Interplai, Nino Salvaggio, Wygo, General Motors, Aon, and Amazon Web Services – will work to pilot an automated vehicle delivery program for groceries in Troy. Through the project, Stantec will optimize vehicle and delivery route designs for automated grocery delivery; test system engineering requirements and processes; and share and scale results.

“Automated vehicle grocery delivery has tremendous potential to increase efficiency and safety, and alleviate congestion in our cities,” said Corey Clothier, founder, and director, Stantec GenerationAV®. “This is an exciting pilot project to learn more about how automated technology can positively impact peoples’ lives, and boost Michigan’s reputation as America’s mobility innovator.”

Learn more about how Michigan is leading in transportation mobility and electrification visit www.michiganbusiness.org/mobility.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Governor Whitmer Aims to Build Up Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure with Executive Directive
 
 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently issued an executive directive urging state departments and agencies to collaborate with the legislature and ready the state to build up electric vehicle charging infrastructure and create good-paying, clean energy jobs. The state will work to save drivers time and money, continue leading the future of mobility and electrification, and bolster the economy by investing in jobs and products to support the state's automotive industry. The announcement was made in preparation for the billions in federal funds Michigan is expected to receive over the next five years, specifically for electric vehicles from the newly-enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan.

“This directive, along with ongoing tax credit incentives for consumers, will help boost Michigan's economy as Michiganders continue purchasing electric vehicles and supporting the electrification of Ford, Stellantis, and GM,” said Governor Whitmer. “The new bipartisan infrastructure bill will build on work we have already done in this space and help us usher in a new era of prosperity for our state. I look forward to working with the legislature to invest these dollars and get the job done."

The executive directive directs state departments to take the following actions to help Michigan build the future of mobility and electrification:

  • Putting Michigan workers and businesses first, prioritizing in-state businesses and workers as the state continues building up electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
  • Helping local communities build more efficiently, using the "dig once" principle to complete work on electric vehicle chargers, pipes, high-speed internet, roads, and other utilities simultaneously wherever possible.
  • Working with the legislature to leverage the federal dollars we have to position Michigan as the national leader in electric vehicles and save drivers time and money on their commutes.
  • Prioritizing the growth of Michigan's advanced mobility workforce through education, training, and talent acquisition programs.
  • Optimizing the placement of electric vehicle charging stations across the state to facilitate long-distance travel and daily commuting in rural, urban, and suburban areas.
  • Working with utilities and other stakeholders to consider electric vehicle charging needs in all new distribution system upgrades and utility distribution plans.
  • Expanding on current initiatives to assist fleets in transitioning to clean fuels.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Detroit Regional Partnership Awarded $500,000 Planning Grant, Named Finalist for $100 Million in Grant Funding
 
 

The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) has successfully applied for a $500,000 planning grant and advanced to Phase 2 of the Economic Development Administration’s $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge. The planning grant will focus on growing and leveraging the region’s automotive, engineering, design, and manufacturing strengths around an advanced mobility cluster. The DRP is also a finalist to compete for the $100 million grant funding to help implement that plan.

“This region came together and put together a really compelling application around advanced mobility,” said Maureen Donohue Krauss, CEO of the DRP. “We are pleased with the result and ready to get to work with our regional partners on Phase 2. Given our region’s legacy of innovation and collective assets, we are eager to make our case to the EDA that there’s no better bet to accelerate this country’s economic recovery than the Detroit Region.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ford and Newlab Select Five Startups for Inaugural Cohort of New Mobility Studio
 
 

Ford and Newlab, a community of experts and innovators that utilize technology to help solve the world’s biggest challenges, recently announced five startups that will participate in the inaugural cohort of the Mobility Studio. The Mobility Studio will be located at Michigan Central, a new mobility innovation district being developed by Ford in Corktown, Detroit. The new program supports the advancement of technologies, product collaborations, and business models that can drive a cleaner transportation future.

The five startups selected include:

  • Autofleet, a vehicle-as-a-service platform enabling companies, organizations, and municipalities to optimize vehicle fleet management, launch new mobility services with their existing vehicles, and plan and design strategic shifts in operations, such as electrification.
  • EVPassport, a leading electric vehicle charging company that is establishing a distributed fleet charging ecosystem incorporating multi unit dwellings through a cloud-based, application programming interface-driven hardware and software platform.
  • Fermata Energy, which provides a complete solution that lets electric vehicles receive power from and provide power back to the grid and to buildings by integrating software, hardware options, and knowledge, turning electric vehicles into energy storage assets that combat climate change, increase resilience, and dramatically lower cost of ownership.
  • Rhombus Energy Solutions, a Dearborn-based company that develops new electric grid infrastructure, energy distribution, and management systems, as well as advanced charging solutions to speed the adoption of electric vehicles.
  • SparkCharge, the creators of “Currently,” a mobile, on-demand electric vehicle charging network built to make charging easy and convenient while addressing gaps in the charging infrastructure.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BorgWarner Thermal Systems to Expand Cadillac Operations with $11.2 Million Investment
 
 

BorgWarner Thermal Systems, a manufacturer of thermal technology for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, is expanding its operations in Cadillac with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $11.2 million and create up to 30 jobs. The company is growing its EV business and plans to manufacture advanced high-voltage coolant heater systems that will be used to manage cabin and battery temperatures, critical for vehicle efficiency in hybrid and pure electric vehicles.

"I want to thank BorgWarner leadership for their continued investment in this plant and our people, as well as the MEDC and city of Cadillac for their support in growing our community," said Hari Kumar, plant manager of BorgWarner's Cadillac facility. "The Cadillac plant has more than 75 years of rich, automotive history and I am excited and honored to lead the team into the electrification era with the launch of our new high-voltage coolant heaters."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Microtransit Pilot Program Brings Affordable Shuttle Rides to Detroiters
 
 

The city of Detroit is piloting a grant-funded microtransit program that will make getting a ride to work and back easier for some Detroiters whose jobs are located in the I-94 Industrial Corridor or at Detroit Metro Airport. The program allows residents to schedule shuttle rides to and from work via the nearest Detroit Department of Transportation bus stop. Rides are $2 each way (with Dart fare cards accepted), and users can schedule their rides for any hour of the day up to 5 p.m. the day before. Detroiters who live anywhere in the city are eligible, and the service is free for employers.

“We are trying to work directly in the manufacturing corridor, which is known to be an area where transportation is known to be difficult,” said Hind Ourahou, senior mobility strategist for the Office of Mobility Innovation. “There is an immediate need in the manufacturing corridor … and we want a program that would target that area and serve it so residents, wherever they are in the city, could have access to jobs in that area and potentially the airport.”

The microtransit pilot program is part of Project Kinetic, a coalition of organizations dedicated to creating and implementing new mobility and transportation solutions for the city of Detroit. Six pilot programs – including the microtransit program – were selected in 2018 to be deployed by a coalition of public agencies, companies, and philanthropies, including the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michigan Mobility Funding Platform: Rolling Application Deadline is Dec. 31
 
 

The Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have partnered to launch the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform 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 infrastructureEquitable Futures: Alleviate mobility barriers and increase access to affordable and reliable transportation optionsMultimodal 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 also now available to support those both seeking and providing solutions through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform.

Learn more about eligibility for testing environments and real-world deployments, rolling application periods through Dec. 31, 2021, and past grant recipients at the landing page here.
 
 
 
 
 
Resources and Opportunities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In The News
 
 

Seeking a common language for self-driving cars, AxiosAutonomous vehicle companies are exploring the use of a common language — standardized light patterns or sounds — that would help driverless cars communicate their intentions to humans.

Why it matters: Autonomous vehicles will share the road with human-driven vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists for a long time. The development of a standard communications method could build trust and reduce traffic accidents.

What's happening: Argo.ai, the developer of a self-driving system, is urging fellow developers to adopt its newly released technical guidelines for safe interactions between robocars and bicyclists.

Zoox, meanwhile, which makes a custom robotaxi, is testing its own communication patterns using a variety of lights incorporated into its design.

The bottom line: Just as everyone understands the meaning of red, yellow and green traffic lights, AVs will need to develop standard ways of communicating.

Bike share coming to Portland in spring, bringing 200 bicycles, News Center MaineMichigan-based company, Tandem Mobility, will supply 200 bikes - 150 pedal bikes and 50 e-bikes - for a new bike-sharing program in Portland, Maine. Expected to deploy in the summer of 2022, the program will give locals an easy, convenient method of seasonal transportation to get around the peninsula.

"I think it's good from a health perspective. I think it's good from a transportation perspective,” said Christine Grimando, director of planning and urban development for the city of Portland. “I think it's good from an equity perspective. It's potentially really affordable transportation."

It will cost $1 to unlock a bike, then $0.15 per minute for a pedal bike or $0.25 per minute for an electronic bike. Riders can make as many stops as they’d like along their route, and once they are done, they only need to dock the bike to end their transaction.
 
 
 
 
 

Stay connected to the resources dedicated to Michigan’s evolution of transportation mobility and electrification by following @MobilityMI on Twitter and LinkedIn, and by visiting michiganbusiness.org/mobility. Keep up with the latest in mobility ecosystem development and mobility policy at the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) by visiting michganbusines.org/ofme.
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