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Office of Future Mobility and Electrification launched in Michigan

Posted: 8 July 2020 |

The Office will work to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem and develop dynamic mobility and electrification policies.

Office of Future Mobility and Electrification launched in Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the formal launch of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) which will work across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic transport and electrification policies and supporting the start-up and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that Michigan strengthen opportunities for economic growth and job creation while securing our continued leadership in mobility and electrification through forward-thinking policies, innovative partnerships and smarter infrastructure,” Governor Whitmer said.

The OFME will focus on six objectives:   

  • Increase mobility investment in Michigan: Generate new investment and job creation from tech companies focused on future mobility, including autonomous and electric vehicle innovation
  • Expand Michigan’s smart infrastructure: Further develop systems for deploying autonomous and shared transportation
  • Engage more mobility start-ups: Establish Michigan as a premier location for young companies to start, scale, commercialise and grow technologies redefining the movement of people and goods
  • Further enable Michigan’s mobility workforce: Develop and attract the skills and talent necessary to meet the changing demands of the sector
  • Accelerate electric vehicle adoption in Michigan: Support the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles and expand access to charging infrastructure
  • Bolster Michigan’s mobility manufacturing core: Protect the state’s competitiveness in electric and autonomous vehicle manufacturing and ability to move technologies into industrial scale manufacturing.  

“This announcement builds on the work we’ve done to help advance the competitiveness of Michigan’s automotive core and grow the ecosystem around the new companies and technology reshaping mobility,” said Jeff Donofrio, Director of the Michigan Department Labor and Economic Opportunity. “Developing a holistic statewide approach to mobility and electrification will be critical in helping our economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and to creating a more diverse economy and workforce.”    

“Michigan put the world on wheels, and as we move into the next generation of transportation technologies, we need to assure we remain the global hub for the mobility industry. The Office of Future Mobility and Electrification will leverage our competitive advantages to make sure our state isn’t only a place where mobility solutions are born, it’s also where companies will find long-term success and support,” said Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer. “While Michigan remains an undisputed leader in mobility, there is more work to be done, including increasing the state’s share of electric vehicle production, building a stronger pipeline of software engineering talent, and leveraging technology to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities.” 

Supported by private sector leaders, the OFME will build on, and expand, on the state’s mobility initiatives – including the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) ongoing work with automotive industry partners in developing smart infrastructure; the LEO’s work on economic competitiveness and attracting and developing talent; the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) work on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and MEDC’s business development programmes to support automotive and mobility assemblers and suppliers. 

The OFME will also build on Michigan’s smart infrastructure and active public policy initiatives, as well as grants and services to help activate new technologies across Michigan.