April 27, 2023 

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PHOTOS: Lt. Governor Gilchrist Joins U-M to Finalize State Support for High-Tech EV Center Attracting High-Skilled Jobs, Future Mobility Investment 

LANSING, Mich.—Today, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist announced the State of Michigan and the University of Michigan have finalized the process to build the new University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center. To continue attracting high-tech jobs and investment in the electric vehicle industry, Governor Whitmer signed into law a $130 million appropriation in the FY 2023 budget to build this next-generation center. This new facility will build on the $16.6 billion of projects creating 16,300 good-paying jobs Michigan has brought home through bipartisan economic development tools as Michigan is one of three states poised to “dominate” electric vehicle battery manufacturing in the United States by 2030.   

“Michigan is competing with everyone to lead the future of cars, chips, and clean energy,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Cutting-edge research and development centers like the one here at U-M will bring together the innovators, dreamers, and doers that will help us grow our economy, build the future right here in Michigan, and define the next century of mobility. Governor Whitmer and I were proud to partner with the University of Michigan to get this done.” 

The University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center will focus on accelerating research and development, building a highly skilled workforce, and establishing facilities on U-M’s campus to boost research and education. The Center will invest $50 million to support research and development of new, innovative mobility technologies through public and private partnership. Another $20 million will go toward boosting educational offerings to engage more students and improve workforce talent. To achieve that goal, the Center will participate in efforts such as the state’s EV Jobs Academy.  

“We’re undergoing a redefinition of personal mobility in a way we haven’t seen in a century,” said Alan Taub, Robert H. Lurie Professor of Engineering and Director of the Electric Vehicle Center. “It requires changes to the vehicles, the infrastructure, consumer behavior, policy and more. We need academia, industry, and government to work together to enable a smooth transition. Southeast Michigan drove the evolution of mobility from the horse and carriage to affordable automobiles 100 years ago. We have what it takes to do it again, but the stakes are as tremendous as the opportunity.” 

The Electric Vehicle Center will join existing initiatives at U-M, such as Mcity, a leading interdisciplinary public-private center for mobility research and development that works with dozens of partners to chart the future of transportation. Plans for the facility will go before the U-M Board of Regents for consideration.

“For Michigan to maintain and grow its competitive edge in the national electrification landscape, investing in resources like the University of Michigan’s Electric Vehicle Center is critical to keep us at the forefront of industry innovations and discoveries,” said Kathryn Snorrason, Interim Chief Mobility Officer for the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME). “Since its inception, OFME has been laser-focused on partnering across state government, academia and private industry to support opportunities to build upon Michigan’s legendary mobility leadership. We’re thrilled to see this investment come to life and further grow the rich electrification ecosystem throughout the state.” 

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