Mobility Report: Making Michigan the First Fully Networked State: Legislators Propose Statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
July 23, 2019Making Michigan the First Fully Networked State: Legislators Propose Statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Late last month, Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), co-chair of the Michigan Legislative Automotive Caucus, along with legislators from the House and Senate, announced a bipartisan package to support the growth of electric vehicles in Michigan and establish the first statewide charging network in the nation.
MichAuto supports the four-bill package which will establish a council of experts, allow the state to install and lease space for charging stations at state parks and rides, and provide tax incentives for small businesses and multi-unit housing to install electric vehicle charging stations.
“These bills encourage our state to create a collaborative and coordinated plan, working with private companies, small businesses, utilities and various state departments to build out the state’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, making Michigan the first fully networked state,” McMorrow said. Read more.
Michigan Expands Its Reach for Automobile Electrification
As auto manufacturers expand the number of plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles, energy companies such as DTE Energy and CMS Energy are preparing to meet customers’ needs with rebate programs to encourage charger installation. DTE, covering most of Southeast Michigan, has embarked on a pilot initiative called “Charging Forward” while CMS Energy, handling most of the remaining lower peninsula, offers the PowerMiDrive program, which was announced at the 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference. Learn more.
Detroit Moves to Collaborate with 2020 North American International Auto Show
Detroit Moves, a thought leadership conference on urban mobility solutions, announced that it will move its annual event to June 2020 to coincide with the North American International Auto Show. A partnership between MichAuto, the City of Detroit, and several local organizations, Detroit Moves brings together urban transit planners and mobility innovators to discuss next-generation technologies changing the way people move around the world. Learn more.
Jason Puscas Joins MichAuto to Support Michigan’s Automotive Policy Work
Jason Puscas, former director of Government Relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber, has joined MichAuto as the director of Government and Community Affairs. This new position is a multifaceted role supporting the automotive and mobility industry in Southeast Michigan and policy work in Lansing while also representing MichAuto in West and mid-Michigan. Puscas will be the liason in areas of policy and community development for investors. He can be reached at jpuscas@detroitchamber.com or 248.709.4866.