(Source: MIRS.news, Published 01/24/2023) The small details of electric vehicle implementation, down to where a charger is placed in a city, could have a large impact on Michigan’s economic development, said John LaMacchia, Michigan Municipal League (MML) director of state and federal affairs.
LaMacchia spoke about MML's priorities during an educational presentation to the House Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, after Committee Chair Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) paid homage to former Rep. Jack O’Malley with a series of presentations to kick off the 2023 hearings.
He said when looking at electric vehicle implementation in Michigan's municipalities, it’s important to focus on sustainable funding models.
“There’s going to be an emergence of new technologies,” he said. “We need to be able to support that.”
One way he suggested improving readiness and making sure EVs pay off for communities is by looking at small details like charger placement through the lens of economic development.
“So where is that charger, and what does that individual behind the wheel do while that car is charging?” he said. “Are they at the local coffee shop? Are they downtown? Or are they sitting in a location that doesn’t provide them with an opportunity to spend their resources in a place that matters?”
LaMacchia said transportation and infrastructure, specifically the availability of both, can be an economic driver that incentivizes employers and employees alike to relocate.
“Infrastructure is a long term investment,” he said, “investing in our ability to attract talent and retain that talent is a long term investment.”
With a specific focus on EVs, he urged the Committee to also consider the impact on resources, referencing a County Road Association study that found increasing electric vehicle prevalence would likely lead to a slow decline in revenue for the state.
LaMacchia said projections from the study found that the decrease could be as much as $500 billion by the year 2030.
“We have to recognize, though, that it is not just an EV issue, and other vehicles are becoming more fuel efficient,” he said. “We also need to be in a position where we embrace that.
“How are we taking the steps to embrace those things in a way that also creates those sustainable funding models that we mentioned?” he added.
