( CNN ) -- The future of Detroit is electric cars , the governor of Michigan declared in an opinion piece on Newsweek 's Web site . The Chevy Volt is one of the electric cars being developed by Michigan 's auto industry . `` In Michigan , we are doing everything we can to become the home of this new electric auto industry -- and to the jobs this industry will create , '' wrote Gov . Jennifer Granholm . `` Again , the road to a stronger future for our country will begin in Michigan . '' She said that for automakers , replacing the 100-year-old internal-combustion engine is both `` revolutionary and daunting . '' Ann Marie Sastry , director of the energy systems engineering program at the University of Michigan , said the industry will have to take risks and government support will be essential . `` Gov . Granholm is doing exactly what we all hope our elected officials will do -- she is supporting partnerships and growth in critical economic areas , '' Sastry said . `` She 's enunciated a vision for clean vehicles that builds our regional economy and provides global , sustainable transportation solutions . `` We understand that these investments will take time to reach profitability , but these are hard problems , and they are worth investment and risk . The risk of doing nothing is much , much greater . I 'm glad she is making the case for Michigan . '' Granholm said all of Detroit 's Big Three automakers -- General Motors , Ford and Chrysler -- are working on electric vehicles . `` General Motors plans to make lithium-ion battery packs to power the Chevy Volt , which is expected to earn a fuel-economy rating of more than 100 mpg , '' she wrote . `` ... As Ford celebrates the sale of the 100,000th hybrid Escape , it is preparing for the introduction of a full line of new hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles . Chrysler , too , is electrifying its product lines . '' Sastry said she could n't be more delighted with GM 's plans for the Volt as a `` truly mass-marketed electrified drive train using electric technology . '' In 2008 , GM sold 14,439 hybrid vehicles , according to a statement from the company . `` These companies are serious about transforming themselves and transforming us into a nation less reliant on foreign oil , '' Granholm wrote . Sastry said public opinion toward energy conservation is a major factor in the companies being willing to take the risk of creating the new types of cars . `` These very large companies are placing a bet on the future in no small measure because of the American public 's change in attitude toward it , '' she said . In her commentary , Granholm referred to President Barack Obama 's plan , announced in February , to direct $ 2 billion from the economic stimulus package into technology aimed at putting 1 million American-made , plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road by 2015 . Sastry said it 's hard to predict when something of that scale will happen -- many industry experts disagree on an exact time -- but it will happen . `` Keep in mind , several industries have to work together to make this happen , '' she said .
Gov . Jennifer Granholm says auto industry 's future is electric . University of Michigan expert agrees Big Three need to move to electric cars . Public opinion on energy conservation is pushing the move , expert says .