Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that Scout Motors will establish a new research and development facility in Novi that will serve as a hub for future innovation and development for the auto industry within the U.S. The $11 million capital investment made by Scout Motors will create 200 high-paying engineering jobs that support the state’s work to position itself as the global leader in the future of mobility and vehicle electrification.

The Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL) founding partners have announced $500,000 in renewed operational funding and grants for mobility startups through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP). This funding will support technology startups working on last-mile mobility, sustainable parking, and EV infrastructure enhancement.

DSPL, which is operated by NextEnergy and ParkRite, has brought more than 400 mobility leaders to the Motor City, allowing more than 20 mobility and smart infrastructure pioneers, as well as real estate innovators and startups, to test parking-related mobility, logistics and EV charging technologies.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is offering grants to eligible entities to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure in support of EV tourism along the Lake Michigan coastline. The Lake Michigan Circuit will establish a network of charging stations along Lake Michigan as part of a larger regional network to accelerate the adoption of EVs and increase the confidence of long-distance travel using an EV.

2024:

• Jan 8-9: Connect2Car at CES
• Jan 16-18: SAE International Government/Industry Meeting
• Jan 23: Mobility Meetup at the College for Creative Studies
• Feb 23-March 3: Cleveland Auto Show
• March 19-21: Automotive CyberSecurity Conference
• April 16-18: WCX
• May 21-23: AutoSens USA

Alternative Transportation Company, Adroit, Launches New Partnership with Detroit Public Schools Community District | School Transportation News
ADROIT Advanced Technologies has announced a partnership with All Town Bus and the Detroit Public Schools Community District to offer innovative transportation options for students during the 2023-2024 school year. ADROIT provides a unique rideshare model with wheelchair-accessible vans and cars, offering a scheduled and cost-effective service to students with special needs or those displaced from their homes.

Electric, Autonomous Vehicles Offer Promise, but Broad-Based Benefits Elusive Without Public Role | MITech News
University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy professor Elisabeth Gerber emphasizes the need for government incentives and investment to ensure widespread access to autonomous vehicles and EVs across various economic levels. Her research underscores the importance of local government decisions in building out EV infrastructure, highlighting the potential for inequities in access.

Expanded Amtrak Route in Detroit Would Connect to Windsor | Urbanize Detroit
Amtrak has been granted federal funds to expand its services, particularly focusing on key connections from Detroit. The Wolverine line, linking Chicago and Detroit, is set to extend its route to include a stop in Windsor, facilitating easier connections to Canada’s rail system.

• Bamboo Detroit Mobility Founders Hour – Join a bimonthly, virtual meetup for founders and leaders of high-growth mobility startups to connect, share resources, and meet special guest speakers
• 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
• The Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE) – Provides grants and pilot-testing opportunities to companies focused on bringing emerging air travel technology solutions to market
• Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) – A consortium bed by the Detroit Regional Partnership that is designed to help build an inclusive and prosperous 21st century mobility sector
• 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 state’s only automotive and mobility cluster association
• MICHauto Automobility Asset Map – Shows nearly 250 locations that are active contributors to the industry, including OEMs, assembly plants, suppliers, proving grounds, entrepreneur resources, mobility projects, universities, and transportation hubs.
• Michigan Mobility Funding Platform – Test site deployments and real-world deployments
• Michigan STEM Forward Internships – A statewide program of the MEDC which aims to connect the brightest upcoming talent with innovative and growing companies throughout Michigan
• Michigan EGLE: Charge Up Michigan – Opportunity to apply for funding
• Mobility Makers – Community of professionals dedicated to sustainable mobility
• MotorCites National Heritage Area Events – A nonprofit corporation affiliated with the National Park Service that preserves, interprets and promotes the region’s rich automotive and labor heritage
• Plug and Play Tech Center Detroit powered by AmplifyD – Resources for startups looking to reach OEMs and Tier 1 Suppliers