Join day by day information updates from CleanTechnica on e mail. Or observe us on Google Information!
Representatives from environmental efforts, native enterprise and authorities gathered in Lansing Thursday to stipulate the environmental and financial impacts federal electrical car (EV) investments have had on the state.
Mary Frances Repko, deputy nationwide local weather adviser and deputy assistant to President Joe Biden; EDF Motion President David Kieve; Lansing Metropolis Councilmember-At-Massive Peter Spadafore; and Lansing enterprise representatives met outdoors Lansing Metropolis Corridor and mentioned efforts to construct Michigan’s electrical car economic system and infrastructure utilizing funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Regulation and the Inflation Discount Act.
Kieve touted the advantages of EVs on local weather, well being and the economic system, however honed in on advantages for shoppers.
Picture courtesy of EDF.
“What I tell consumers all day, every day, is, if you have questions about driving an electric car, ask somebody who owns one. Ask them if they miss being at the gas station. Ask them if they’ve missed all of the time that they spend on oil changes and repair costs and things of that nature,” Kieve mentioned. “Or if you don’t know anybody who drives an electric car, truck or SUV, go out and take one for a test drive yourself.”
Street journeys have lengthy been a ceremony of passage for Michiganders, Spadafore mentioned, and whereas EV drivers had been beforehand unable to make these journeys confidently — and issues stay a few slower-than-hoped-for rollout — the enlargement of Michigan’s charging infrastructure has made {that a} risk.
Street journeys have lengthy been a ceremony of passage for Michiganders, Spadafore mentioned, and whereas EV drivers had been beforehand unable to make these journeys confidently — and issues stay a few slower-than-hoped-for rollout — the enlargement of Michigan’s charging infrastructure has made {that a} risk.
The state is receiving roughly $110 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Regulation over 5 years to increase charging infrastructure, Spadafore mentioned, noting the funds can be used to construct out chargers in suburban and rural components of the state in addition to Michigan’s cities.
These federal investments are additionally essential for Lansing and its mid-Michigan neighbors, Spadafore mentioned, as they don’t seem to be solely reworking the state’s city facilities and manufacturing hubs, however making EV possession and sustainable power extra accessible to city, suburban and rural communities.
Repko famous that communities up and down the state had unlocked billions of {dollars}, with Michigan securing $28 billion in non-public investments in electrical automobiles and clear power, heavy trade and biomanufacturing.
“Those communities are benefiting from a number of different investments, investments in cleaner air and water, investments in energy efficient buildings and homes and access to electric vehicles, affordable energy and most importantly, to good jobs,” Repko mentioned.
“The reason why this is important for the Biden-Harris administration is to acknowledge that states like Michigan and states across the country have been on the receiving end of climate-fueled extreme weather,” Repko mentioned. “And for those in Lansing, I don’t really need to tell them something uniquely about this. You experienced this just a few weeks ago as I got calls from my father and my brother who had water in their basements from a very intense microburst storm.”
Whereas folks usually take into consideration local weather change as doom and gloom, Michigan is popping federal local weather investments into hope and alternative, Repko mentioned.
“Michigan is using these funds to build a more resilient and climate friendly future. But in 2023 Michigan led clean energy job creation in the nation, fueled by a number of congressional districts, including this one [Michigan’s 7th Congressional District],” Repko mentioned.
Along with $23 million in federal {dollars} for the state to boost Michigan’s EV charging choices, GM’s Lansing Grand River Meeting has additionally acquired $500 million from the U.S. Division of Vitality to transform the plant for EV manufacturing, Repko famous.
“We’ve seen significant investment in not only our roads and bridges, but water supply, energy and the grid, as well as the broadband infrastructure,” Daman mentioned.
“Couple that with the Inflation Reduction Act and we’re seeing historic investments expanding, not only the clean energy jobs, but supporting countless local businesses and ensuring that our workforce is part of that next generation of innovation,” Daman mentioned.
Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Financial Space Partnership (LEAP) recounted the partnership’s efforts throughout Eaton, Clinton and Ingham counties to win jobs, noting it’s administering $66 million for the brand new Ultium electrical automotive battery plant, the results of a $2.6 billion funding from GM and LG Vitality. The partnership has additionally secured an EV provider within the area, Trezise mentioned.
“We want to win those good, sustainable jobs and a better life and a more secure future for our region, states and nation’s economy. And we know that the hard work with the emerging global EV industry is a ticket to accomplishing those goals,” Trezise mentioned.
Whereas the EV market has softened just lately, LEAP isn’t going to take its eye off the ball, Trezise mentioned.
“The future will be 100% electric vehicles, and we will make sure at that critical strategic time that the Lansing region is positioned to assume that global leadership role in that industry, with the jobs, the investment, the infrastructure, the tax base, the economic competitive advantage that comes with all that in what is a very savagely competitive country and world.” he mentioned.
“China, you know, is very advanced. I mean, that’s a reality. They have five or six very advanced electric car companies, and we just need to make sure at that strategic point in the future that we all have choices: companies and cars that are made right here in this country, in this state, in this region,” Trezise mentioned.
Leaders even have an obligation to make sure a safer world for his or her kids and grandchildren, Trezise mentioned, noting that the federal investments assist each the surroundings and the economic system.
“I am very enthused to keep on with this funding. If this funding were to go away, I kind of think it would be a disaster for all of us. For the environment and the economy but from my perspective, most importantly, from a competitive standpoint, frankly against those other foreign competitors,” Trezise mentioned.
“It’s about jobs and investment, so we need to keep up our momentum that we’ve gained to get back in that competitive market,” he mentioned.
By Kyle Davidson, Michigan Advance, a part of The States Newsroom
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Need to promote? Need to recommend a visitor for our CleanTech Discuss podcast? Contact us right here.
Newest CleanTechnica.TV Movies
CleanTechnica makes use of affiliate hyperlinks. See our coverage right here.
CleanTechnica’s Remark Coverage