Built by Michigan Campaign Celebrates Plug-In Day Sunday, Oct. 16

In conjunction with National Plug-In Day on Sunday, Oct. 16, the Built By Michigan campaign today expressed support for events highlighting electric vehicles scheduled to happen in Detroit and nationwide.

“National Plug-In Day celebrations have the many of the same goals as the Built By Michigan campaign – to bring awareness that electric vehicles and advanced-battery manufacturing have created thousands of jobs and attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment in our state,” according to Alexis Blizman, legislative and policy director for the Ecology Center. “Like the Detroit Lions and Tigers, Michigan’s automotive industry is roaring back thanks to advanced battery manufacturing and the electric vehicle industry.”

Plug-In Day is a nationwide observance drawing attention to the environmental, economic and other benefits of electric vehicles through various events in over 20 cities nationwide. Events are sponsored by Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association, and include parades, tailpipe-free tailgate parties, and electric-vehicle test drives.

Like the national Plug In Day, the Built By Michigan campaign is also helping to promote electric vehicles in Michigan. Over the past three weeks, the campaign has sponsored town halls in Grand Rapids, Warren and Lansing, to highlight the job-creating success of Michigan’s electric-vehicle industry.

According to a 2010 Natural Resources Defense Council study, the electric vehicle industry has already created 38,067 advanced auto sector jobs in Michigan. GM has already invested more than $700 million in Michigan at eight manufacturing plants for the production of the Volt, Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2011. Ford also has invested $1 billon to modernize its Michigan Assembly Plant to build the electric Ford Focus.

“It is critical for Michigan to embrace emergent concepts like electric vehicles and low-carbon fuels,” according to Stanford Ovshinksy, whose inventions have revolutionized the fields of energy and information over the past 50 years. “We have the talent and the infrastructure right here in our backyard, and it is essential – for Michigan’s families, job growth, economy and position globally as a leader in the auto industry – to tap into this incredible resource.”

To learn more about the Built By Michigan campaign, visit www.builtbymichigan.org or follow the campaign on Twitter at @BuiltByMichigan.