Electric cars in the spotlight at the Michigan Capitol: Seeing the future though the windshield

Michigan legislators and other public officials got behind the wheel to learn more about the future of electric vehicles in the state during a ride-and-drive at the Capitol on May 10.

The event coincided with hearings by the energy and technology committees in the Michigan House and Senate, featuring reports from the Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PEV)  Preparedness Task Force.

Michigan Public Service Commission chairman Orjiakor Isiogu convened the task force last year to bring together a team of people with the knowledge and expertise to make sure that Michigan is ready for the advent of PEVs and to plan for the seamless customer experience and acceptance of PEVs in Michigan. 

The arrival of consumer-friendly electric vehicles is good news for the environment, and they are also good news for Michigan’s economy, according to Charles Griffith, energy and climate programs director at the Ecology Center, who is a member of the task force.

“Electric vehicles can help reduce the environmental impact caused by of our consumption of fossil fuels,” Griffith said.  “And the fact that they are being manufactured in the state, at the same time that our battery industry is growing, is good for the state’s economy, too.”

Vehicles available for the test drive included a Chrysler Ram plug-in hybrid pick-up trucks, several Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicles, and a Ford Escape plug-in hybrid.