The governors of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin intend to collaborate on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the Midwest region, announcing on Thursday the signing of the Regional Electric Vehicle for the Midwest Memorandum of Understanding.
According to a press release issued by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office, the goal of this partnership is to collectively accelerate vehicle electrification in the Midwest Region. It’s intended to act as the foundation for cooperation on fleet electrification along key commercial corridors to safeguard economic security, grow jobs, future proof interstate commerce, reduce harmful emissions, improve public health, and advance innovation.
“Today’s REV Midwest partnership is a bipartisan effort to build the future of mobility and electrification and connect our communities,” Whitmer said. “Our partnership will enable the Midwest to lead on electric vehicle adoption, reduce carbon emissions, spur innovation, and create good-paying jobs.”
“The Midwest has the ingenuity and the drive to develop innovative solutions to curb climate change,” added Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. “I am proud to work with my fellow Midwest governors to not only reduce pollution, but protect public health, create jobs, and increase consumer choice across the region.”
Through REV Midwest, the partnering states plan to work together to improve access to charging infrastructure and reduce range anxiety, with the hope that this will support EV adoption and the next generation of American-made electric automobiles. They intend to do this by removing barriers to electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV) and enabling EV charging across states by coordinating to optimize charging infrastructure, cooperate on best practices, and support standardization.
For more information, visit the REV Midwest page on michigan.gov.