Stabenow, Peters Welcome Over $25 Million in Funding for Advance Vehicle Technology Projects in Michigan That Go to Program They Have Pushed to Support

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today welcomed that six projects supporting new and innovative advanced vehicle technologies in Michigan will receive a total of $25,854,623 million in funding from the Department of Energy (DOE). Stabenow and Peters have led the charge on bipartisan, bicameral legislation to provide additional resources for the DOE’s Vehicle Technology Office, which is the office responsible for the management of these projects. Their bipartisan Vehicle Innovation Act previously passed the Senate as part of the Energy Policy Modernization Act.

“Michigan’s auto workers, manufacturers, universities, and researchers are leading the development of innovative vehicle technologies,” said Senator Stabenow. “This investment will ensure that our state remains a world leader in manufacturing cutting edge vehicles that create jobs and reduce emissions.”

“Michiganders have built the vehicles that define the auto industry, and these federal funds will help support our manufacturers and workers continuing to develop innovative, cutting edge clean vehicle technologies,” said Senator Peters. “I have been proud to lead bipartisan efforts to help ensure that Michigan and American manufacturers lead this new era of auto innovation, and this funding will contribute to important investments that spur development of advanced technologies, save consumers money, improve safety, support good-paying jobs and keep Michigan at the forefront of mobility.”

The six projects in Michigan include work from American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Michigan Technological University as well as Roush Industries. Projects range from developing fiber-reinforced composites for high volume manufacturing of structural battery enclosures to creating a propane powered cabin heating system for battery-electric buses. More information on these advanced vehicle technologies projects can be found here.

The President has repeatedly proposed to cut funding for advanced vehicle and energy efficient technologies programs through the Administration’s annual budget to Congress. Stabenow and Peters have worked with colleagues in a bipartisan way to reject the proposed cuts and ensure sustained, robust funding.

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