There is a long list of daunting tasks and challenges facing Michigan and the nation today. Among them, economic recovery and the need to create jobs. Fortunately, these goals intersect with the parallel need to reduce pollution and protect the future of Michigan’s automotive industry.
Now is the time for investments in advanced transportation
We have a unique chance to power up the economy with a cleaner, more advanced transportation industry. Investment in this sector can create jobs, reduce pollution, and make our air safer to breathe — especially in communities that are most impacted by air quality issues.
The Biden administration has made sweeping action that signals a bright future for the Midwest, including nominating two Midwesterners to key cabinet positions — former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has been tapped to lead the Department of Energy and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg will lead the Department of Transportation. Additionally, President Biden has signaled that not only does he wants to convert the U.S. government fleet to electric vehicles, but he wants them to be built by American union workers. That’s to say nothing of the rumored trillions of dollars of COVID-19 relief and additional funding streams that may be available to speed the transition to a clean energy economy.
Not only is there federal motivation, but the industry is moving quickly to establish leadership in the clean transportation marketplace. The recent exciting announcement from General Motors that they aim to produce only emission-free vehicles by 2035 shows that legacy automakers are recognizing the quickly changing landscape in transportation. Consumers are demanding electric vehicles because they are high-tech, quieter, cheaper to operate, and offer a better driving experience. GM is recognizing this and stepping up to the plate.
As momentum for clean transportation picks up we need to act quickly to harness it. Michigan is the automotive capital of the world, and for that to remain so, we need strong leadership from Washington and Lansing, and we need to ensure that this swift move to a clean economy works for everyone.
The transition is underway, and Michigan has a lot to gain
By moving to alternative fuel trucks, buses, cars and clean power, Michigan has a chance to be a national leader in a quickly growing market. Before COVID hit, Michigan was already seeing the jobs benefits of this transition, with the most clean energy jobs in the region, a whopping 126,081 jobs and 4 percent growth rate from 2017 to 2018, according to the 2019 Midwest Clean Jobs report. Post COVID, clean transportation can help Michigan’s economy recover and build back even better.
There are numerous examples of investments in Michigan that move the clean transportation industry forward while creating jobs and supporting local economies. For one, Ford Motor Company is investing $700 million in the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center to produce the electric F-150. Lordstown Motors, an Ohio-based electric pickup truck manufacturer, also opened a research and development center in Farmington Hills last year. And, in an effort to reach their aforementioned goals, GM is rebranding their Detroit-Hamtramck factory “Factory Zero” with a $2.2 billion investment.
Transitioning our trucks, buses, cars and electric production to cleaner power is pro-jobs, pro-health, and pro-environment policy. It will take leadership from Michigan auto manufacturers, our congressional delegation, President Biden, and many others, and is critical to Michigan’s success. Let’s get to work.
— Jane McCurry is Executive Director of Clean Fuels Michigan, a statewide non-profit organization comprised of businesses and industry stakeholders dedicated to advancing the clean transportation industry in Michigan.
