The State of Michigan has submitted a draft Michigan State Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for review. Required to receive federal funding, the plan sets the direction for a successful deployment of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program within Michigan.
"We believe this plan sets the stage for an electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the state of Michigan," State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said. "The plan's vision is to develop a safe, equitable, reliable, convenient, and interconnected transportation electrification network that enables the efficient movement of people, improves quality of life, spurs economic growth, protects Michigan's environment, and facilitates data collection."
"Electric vehicle infrastructure moves all of Michigan forward," said Liesl Clark, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). "Access to clean transportation options will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and public health, promote a prosperous clean-energy economy, and advance our goal of a carbon-neutral Michigan by 2050 under the MI Healthy Climate Plan."
Enacted under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) last Nov. 15 by President Biden, the NEVI Formula Program is focused on establishing a network of fast chargers across the country to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and position U.S. based industries for global leadership in the vehicle electrification ecosystem. The IIJA allocated $5 billion for the NEVI Formula Program. Pending approval of the plan, Michigan is set to receive $110 million between Fiscal Years 2022 and 2026 to install charging stations along each of the state's designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). Once the AFCs are fully built out and certified by the U.S. Transportation secretary, the remaining funds become discretionary and can be used on any public road or in other publicly accessible areas.
The Michigan State Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment was spearheaded by EGLE, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) with support from many other agencies. Throughout the planning process, weekly meetings were held between EGLE, LEO, MDOT, and MPSC is to set priorities, evaluate results, and identify next steps to help the state maximize electrification.
"Almost 4.5 million customers, or 92 percent of the state's ratepayers, currently have access to electric utility EV pilot programs approved by the Commission," said Tremaine Phillips, commissioner at the MPSC. "This plan, along with the approved utility EV programs, provide an excellent foundation for building the infrastructure necessary to support the next phase of vehicle electrification in Michigan."
"There's no denying that the future of transportation and mobility will be an electrified one, and in Michigan we're committed to taking proactive steps to make EVs more affordable and accessible for all," said Trevor Pawl, chief mobility officer for the State of Michigan. "By taking a cross-collaborative approach throughout state government to develop plans for these critical funds, we're making it clear that Michigan is ready to lead the charge in bringing that electrified future to life."
Outside of the NEVI Formula Program, Michigan's public and private entities have established various EV charging station incentives to help advance the state's network, including the:
- EGLE's Charge Up Michigan,
- DTE Energy's Charging Forward,
- Consumers Energy's PowerMIDrive,
- Indiana Michigan Power's IM Plugged In, and
- Upper Peninsula Power Company's (UPPCO) and Alpena Power Co.'s recently approved pilot programs.
Although they still represent fewer than one percent of registered vehicles in Michigan, plug-in electric vehicles registered in the state have increased in number by over 400 percent in the last three years. To prepare for the accelerated growth, the State is advancing partnerships to create a safer, more equitable and environmentally conscious transportation future for all Michiganders.
Categories: Michigan, Energy, Government & Policy