Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
nbarnes@electrificationcoalition.org, (202) 461-2371
Lansing, Mich.—Today, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer presented her $79 billion budget proposal to the state legislature. The proposal included significant investments in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, infrastructure, and manufacturing, as well as plans to convert government and school bus fleets to electric. Those proposed investments include:
- $150 million to fund matching grants for school districts to modernize their bus fleet by switching over to electric vehicles
- $65 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure networks and access
- $45 million for the Michigan Clean Fleet Initiative
- $10 million to begin the transition of the State of Michigan’s fleet to electric vehicles
- Approximately $48 million for sales tax incentives of up to $2,400 for the purchase of a new, used, or leased electric vehicle to complement the federal EV tax credit
- $15 million for a critical mineral recycling research hub, supporting EV battery manufacturing
- $160 million for Intermodal Capital Investment Grants to support investments in rail, marine, intercity, and local transit infrastructure that have the potential to leverage federal funding opportunities (While not specifically for EV investments, these funds could be used for transportation electrification efforts)
In response, Electrification Coalition (EC) Director of Campaigns Aaron Viles released the following statement:
“Governor Whitmer is clearly demonstrating her intention to position the Auto State as the regional leader in transportation electrification. If the nearly $500 million in proposed state investments is approved, Michigan will be building AND driving the EV revolution. We commend the governor for joining the nationwide transition away from oil and toward a more secure transportation future.
“The EC urges the state legislature to approve those investments in the final budget and deliver to Michigan communities the many benefits that EVs offer, from family-sustaining jobs to improved air quality.”
###
About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. electrificationcoalition.org