The Journey Through a Statewide AV Policy in Michigan

For over a decade, as autonomous vehicles (AVs) have gone from concept to full deployment, Michigan has been among the leading states to encourage investment and foster incubation of AV technology. MichAuto has played a critical role in promoting our state’s pro-growth approach to this important new industry.

To solidify Michigan’s next-generation mobility ecosystem, MichAuto is engaged in a years-long effort to advance legislation supporting AV companies in developing such technology. This advocacy campaign is ongoing, but here are some of the important milestones so far:

MichAuto and its Executive Director Glenn Stevens Jr. are in the room as industry stakeholders and then-Gov. Rick Snyder conceive of an AV testing ground that will become the American Center for Mobility (ACM).

With legislative ushering from MichAuto, Snyder signs the SAVE Act into law, which creates guidelines for safety, access, testing and deployment, and public engagement for the AV sector. The act also contains legislation that establishes a statewide moratorium on individual municipalities regulating AV testing and deployment. This gives AV technology startups the confidence to operate in Michigan without fear of a myriad of rules and regulations that would otherwise hamper the development of their technology.

AMC opens in Ypsilanti Township after receiving $15 million in state funding and $110 million in donations from founding companies, such as Toyota, Ford, AT&T, Hyundai, and Visteon. It continues to operate as a destination for industry innovation.

MichAuto supports the passage of legislation to establish the “Michigan Connected Corridor,” a connected roadway that will facilitate the development of autonomous and connected vehicles along I-94 from Detroit to Ann Arbor. This legislation ensures considerable private sector investment in the corridor’s construction.

During the Michigan House Transportation Committee meeting, Paul Corbett, MichAuto’s Director of Government and Community Affairs, provides testimony in favor of House Bill 6369, ensuring the continued allowance of AV operations in Michigan.

MichAuto successfully lobbies the legislature to extend the statewide moratorium on municipal regulations on AVs, which signals Michigan is still open for AV development and business growth.