The governors of five Midwestern Great Lakes states announced they would form a bipartisan partnership to collaborate on the future of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the region.
Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican, and the Democratic governors of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin signed the Regional Electric Vehicle for the Midwest Memorandum of Understanding, or REV Midwest, a non-binding agreement to provide the “foundation for cooperation” on fleet electrification.
The agreement seeks to create a regional framework to accelerate vehicle electrification while safeguarding economic security, reduce harmful emissions, improve public health and advance innovation.
“As the Crossroads of America, transportation plays a vital role in Indiana’s economic success and continued growth,” Holcomb said in a press release. “I’m proud to partner with our neighboring states to put the Midwest region on the leading edge of providing the charging infrastructure needed to futureproof our transportation network and meet the demand as rapid adoption of electric vehicles continues.”
Vehicle electrification could have a positive effect on Indiana’s economy, which could benefit from electrification efforts made by major automakers.
In June, General Motors Co. announced it would invest billions in electric vehicle and battery production, with the ultimate goal of 100% electric vehicle production by 2035. Investors have welcomed the decision.
Recently, Ford Motor Co. announced it would invest $11.4 billion in electric vehicle production in Tennessee and Kentucky and said it aimed to make electric vehicles 40% of its total production by 2030. The company said it will build three battery factories and an electric truck plant in those states.