Recently I made a 10-year dream of mine come true - I finally purchased an EV (electric vehicle) and I am loving it! I feel so good knowing I can drive around town with zero gas emissions!
So when our company was recently approached about signing onto a public letter asking Governor Whitmer to accelerate the electrification of of medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles, showing our support was a no-brainer.
Oil is the #1 pollutant in the world and as the world's largest consumer, the US accounts for one-fifth of global daily supply (!). Oil accounts for over 90% of energy use in the U.S. transportation sector. This overwhelming dependence on oil threatens public health, energy security, our economy, and our climate.
Widespread deployment and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is the best solution to these challenges, and electrification of trucks and buses is a critical part of the transformation, both in Michigan and across the nation. Multiple vehicle manufacturers have committed to full electrification of their product lines, and the federal government has renewed its focus on electrifying transportation. State policy action is needed to leverage this momentum for Michigan.
In 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a goal of economic decarbonization in Michigan by 2050, and a directive to create a Michigan Healthy Climate Plan, which will provide strategies and recommendations for achieving and tracking progress toward the statewide goals. Accelerating the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is essential to Michigan’s ability to meet its own climate goals.
Michigan should join the Multi-State MHD Zero Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding, pledging that at least 30% of all new trucks and buses sold in Michigan will be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, and 100% by 2050.
To meet these commitments, Michigan needs to take the following policy actions:
• Support incentives, utility investments and state targets that will accelerate the electrification of trucks that travel along our highways and through our neighborhoods to deliver goods to our homes and businesses.
• Electrify public transit and school buses to provide clean, healthy ways for Michigan’s residents to travel to and from school, work, and home.
• Invest in the development of medium- and heavy-duty charging infrastructure to ensure that Michigan does not miss out on the economic opportunities afforded by the electrification of transportation.
As a signatory, Not Sorry Goods urges Governor Whitmer to accelerate the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles to protect our economy, energy security, public health, and climate.