Knowledge • News • Insights

In Partnership With

Advance. Transforming Communities. Transforming lives. Cinnaire

Michigan Mobility and Electrification Report Mid-February 2022

ofme-230Michigan Rep. Brenda Lawrence Introduces Bill to Fund Wireless EV Charging

U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) introduced a bill in Congress to create a grant program in the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for small-scale wireless EV charging projects. The bill is endorsed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, among others.

Improving the country’s wireless EV charging infrastructure can help increase EV usage by reducing range anxiety for EV drivers, lowering the costs needed for batteries, and allowing all Americans, regardless of their physical ability, to access the benefits of EVs. The Wireless EV Charging Grant Act of 2022 would complement Michigan’s efforts to develop wireless charging infrastructure by:

  • Creating a program within DOT and authorize $50 million in grants for wireless EV charging projects located in roads, parking lots, bus routes, airports, and coastal and inland ports.
  • Prioritizing wireless EV charging projects that focus on non-disruptive, cost-effective, and community-informed designs that are beneficial to the public.
  • Ensuring that grantees pay fair wages, comply with Buy America, and be neutral towards organized labor.

“Investing in electric vehicles is a key component of the United States staying competitive in the 21st Century. As we recently passed significant EV funding in the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, my new bill will keep the momentum going by investing in wireless EV charging projects,” said Rep. Lawrence. “Being able to charge EVs with ease will help reduce range anxiety, lower costs, and allow all Americans-regardless of their physical ability-to use EVs. I’m proud to introduce legislation that moves us closer to meeting our goals of electrifying our fleet while combating climate change.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coalition of Midwest States Submits Comment on National EV Charging Plans
 
 

Recently, the Regional Electric Vehicle for the Midwest Memorandum of Understanding (REV Midwest MOU) Task Force submitted an official comment to the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding the development of guidance for EV charging infrastructure deployment. Specifically, the Task Force commented on a grant program for charging and fueling infrastructure that would enable states to deploy EV charging infrastructure along designated corridors or in hubs easily accessible to the public.

Originally announced in 2021, the REV Midwest MOU is a multi-state compact to develop, operate, and market the Midwest region, and strategically develop an EV charging infrastructure network that works for the industry and people. This latest move highlights the broader cross-state collaboration that the Task Force has engaged in since last year to collectively accelerate vehicle electrification in the Midwest.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michigan to Receive $110M Over Next Five Years for EV Charging
 
 

Michigan is prepared to receive a significant boost in funding to help expand its EV charging infrastructure, thanks to a recently passed infrastructure bill. Governor Whitmer announced the state will receive $110 million over the next five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will see the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration invest $5 billion across the country.

“Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Michigan is expected to receive $110 million over five years in formula funding to build up electric vehicle charging infrastructure and help the state continue leading the future of mobility and electrification,” said Gov. Whitmer. “We have a historic opportunity to put Michigan first and use the billions in funding we are expected to receive to support thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs, make electric vehicles more accessible and affordable, and usher in a new era of prosperity for our state. And make no mistake, we plan to go after every competitive grant we can to ensure Michigan remains at the forefront of EV infrastructure and manufacturing.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shyft Group to Roll Out EV Van Next Year
 
 

Novi-based mobility company Shyft Group is about to become the latest entrant into the electric delivery van segment. The company announced it will build a turnkey electric delivery van for fleet customers that should be ready to roll by mid-2023.

Shyft Group is using its own in-house designed electric chassis that will be driven by an electric axle purchased from a supplier. Shyft engineers are designing the power electronics and are working with a supplier to develop the software. Batteries will also be purchased from a supplier. The estimated range between charges for the walk-in delivery van is 150-175 miles. Testing is scheduled to begin this year.

“We were looking around [the industry] for around two years to find an [EV] chassis. We were hoping we could find someone who had a chassis we could use,” said Shyft Group CEO Daryl Adams. “What we found was that many of these startups had great PowerPoint presentations. We went through them – we discovered they needed a lot of money to build them. We said we have almost 50 years of chassis- and body-building experience. Companies are coming out with e-axles and batteries. All we were missing was the operating system for the vehicle.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michigan Mobility Funding Platform: Rolling Applications Open
 
 

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 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 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 March 31, 2022, and past grant recipients at the landing page here.

 
 
 
 
 
Resources and Opportunities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
 
 

What's Hot

Get the latest news from MBN right in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a beat.