Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification (CFME) Release Second Report
In its latest report, The Council recapped the progress Michigan has made since itsinaugural report in February 2021, and outlined the key next steps to ensure Michigan continues to be the epicenter of future transportation solutions around mobility and electrification.
The report’s primary findings include:
- Michigan must continue its leadership in automated vehicle policies and smart infrastructure deployment, while investing in the mobility sector and economic and talent development. It is also imperative for Michigan to become more EV-friendly and better prepared for electric vehicles, while implementing policies to ensure the future of transportation is safe and enhances mobility solutions for Michiganders.
- Government encouragement of the adoption of electric vehicles and the deployment of EV charging infrastructure is also a must in the Council’s view. While more research is required to develop efficient, targeted consumer incentive for electric vehicles themselves, the merits of incentives for charging infrastructure are well documented and easily replicated, and ready to be implemented with funding.
- The need to establish clear guardrails around the cybersecurity of intelligent transportation systems. Doing so will protect the safety Michigan residents and visitors.
Governor Whitmer Announces Grants to Accelerate Maritime Mobility
Joined by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE), Governor Whitmer announced funding for four projects that will address climate, energy, and mobility challenges in the Great Lakes region through innovative maritime solutions.
Michigan Technological University’s Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), DockTech, Lilypad, and the Mackinac Economic Alliance received a total of $247,997 in grants to research, test, validate and deploy new water-based mobility solutions in Michigan and support innovations in water infrastructure through funding provided by OFME and EGLE.
The Great Lakes form North America’s largest inland transportation corridor and are located at the center of the continent’s industrial heartland. The region is also home to a quarter of North America’s population and accounts for 55 percent of North America’s manufacturing and service industries. This proximity to manufacturing industries and key shipping routes makes the Great Lakes Region an ideal place to research and develop maritime technology and water-based mobility solutions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PILOTS HERE
American Battery Solutions Inc. (ABS) Opens New Lithium-Ion Battery Lab in Lake Orion
ABS will invest more than $7 million in their Lake Orion facility in the coming years, creating more than 100 good-paying engineering, manufacturing, and administrative jobs. The new facility will manufacture lithium-ion batteries for clients on the cutting edge of mobility and electrification, building on Michigan’s leadership in the space.
“We are delighted to be in Michigan and expanding our operations in the state and see Lake Orion as an ideal location for new capacity to attract the talent we need,” said Subhash Dhar, Chairman, and CEO of American Battery Solutions. “We are most attracted to Michigan’s open business climate, its education system, a long heritage of innovation and excellence, as well as its deep pool of talent and resources in power/battery engineering and complementary disciplines. We see ourselves in strategic partnership with government and business leaders looking to grow and strengthen Michigan’s economic base.”
The investment complements the governor’s MI New Economy plan to grow the middle class, support small businesses, and invest in communities and builds on statewide efforts to grow electric vehicle manufacturing and infrastructure in Michigan.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW FACILITY
Governor Whitmer and Chief Mobility Officer Trevor Pawl Outline Michigan’s Mobility Future
Governor Whitmer and Trevor Pawl joined Shift, an Automotive News podcast about mobility, to discuss Michigan’s current infrastructure and detail new initiatives to prepare for electric vehicles, such as theLake Michigan EV Circuit,Michigan Revolution for the Electrification of Vehicles, andnation-leading wireless EV charging infrastructure.
You’re Invited: Mobility Meetup, Nov. 8
Join MICHauto, theMichigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification, and theMichigan Economic Development Corp.(MEDC) for the next in-person mobility meetup, Monday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. Register now to network with fellow mobility companies and partner organizations.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist IIwill give brief remarks, followed by a Q&A. The event will be held atWeWork’s 6001 Cass location, a historic Albert Kahn building built in 1920 as the Cadillac LaSalle Sales and Service Center. Refreshments and appetizers will be available.
For more information contact Devin O’Reilly at 313.402.0371.
Michigan Mobility Funding Platform Info Session Nov. 3
The Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) 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.
OFME is partnering with Newlab to host an Info Session on the MMFP on Wednesday, November 3, 1:00-2:30 pm EST. This is an opportunity for companies interested in applying to the MMFP to learn about the grant opportunity, receive tips and best practices for submitting an application, and connect with other companies and Michigan partners to explore collaborations. This virtual event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. RSVP for a link to the session.
Listen to the Latest Episode of ‘The Future Of’ Podcast
This monthly podcast features Michigan’s Chief Mobility Officer, Trevor Pawl as well as expert guests. Each month they look at how technology will inevitably change our lives, and the things we can do now to be prepared. Now available on The Great Voice and Spotify.
Resources and Opportunities
- Michigan Mobility Funding Platform – Test Site Deployments and Real-World Deployments
- Michigan Mobility Funding Platform Info Session – A free, virtual event on November 3 to learn more about the MMFP grants, receive tips and connect with other companies and partners. Note space is limited, please RSVP via the link to the attend.
- Plug and Play Tech Center Detroit powered by AmplifyD – resources for startups looking to reach OEMs and Tier 1 Suppliers
- Michigan EGLE: Charge Up Michigan – Opportunity for funding
- NextEnergy – Ongoing Funding Opportunities
- Michigan Revolution for Electrification of Vehicles Academy/Academies RFP – November 8
Upcoming Events
- November 3: DTE Energy: Renewable Energy Supplier Event
- November 3: Michigan Mobility Funding Platform Info Session
- November 4: PNPTC Detroit Mobility: Meet Batch Two Startups
- November 5: Smart Ships Coalition Virtual Workshop
- Novermber 8: Mobility Meetup in Downtown Detroit
- November 10: Tedx Detroit
- November 16-18: CoMotionLA
- November 17-18: Automobility LA
- November 18-19: 2021 Michigan Ross School of Business Future of Mobility Conference
- November 19-29: Los Angeles Auto Show
- January 9-15: Expo 2020 Mobility Trade Mission
In the NewsPlug-in cars are the future. The grid isn’t ready.
Converting the nation’s fleet of automobiles and trucks to electric power is a critical piece of the battle against climate change. The Biden administration wants to see them account for half of all sales by 2030, and New York state has enacted a ban on the sale of internal combustion cars and trucks starting in 2035.But making America’s cars go electric is no longer primarily a story about building the cars. Against this ambitious backdrop, America’s electric grid will be sorely challenged by the need to deliver clean power to those cars. Today, though, it barely functions in times of ordinary stress, and fails altogether too often for comfort, as widespread blackouts in California, Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere have shown.
Our Next Energy closes $25M Series A for battery tech with backing from Bill Gates, BMW
Michigan-based startup Our Next Energy (ONE) has closed a $25 million Series A for tech that it says can double the range of EVs, as more and more startups take aim at surpassing the pitfalls of conventional lithium-ion batteries.The 15-month-old company managed to attract major investors, including Bill Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy Ventures, which led the round. Assembly Ventures, BMW i Ventures (German automaker BMW’s venture fund), Singapore-based Flex and Volta Energy Technologies also participated.
ONE is developing a hybrid cell-to-pack system composed of two batteries: the Aries, a cobalt-free battery that the company says avoids fire risk from thermal runaway; and a battery range extender called the Gemini, which ONE estimates will be capable of a staggering 700-mile range on a single charge. The idea is that the Aries would be used for daily trips, while the Gemini could be used for the occasional longer trip. (ONE cites research on its website noting that 85% of vehicles are used at least once per year for a trip longer than 300 miles.)