Autos & Manufacturing
Electric vehicle charging station in Norway, Dickinson County.

State promotes more electric car charging stations in UP

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U.P. CHARGING STATIONS: A new report from the UP Energy Task Force urges state support to expand charging stations for electric vehicles, a goal endorsed by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the state Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. It fits with the Biden administration’s new infrastructure proposal that includes creation of a national network of charging stations. By Elaine Mallon. FOR MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, SAULT STE. MARIE, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN AND ALL POINTS.

Autos & Manufacturing

More convenient two-year auto registrations may be on the horizon

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REGISTRATION RENEWALS: Lawmakers want an option for motorists to renew their registrations every two years instead of annually – more convenient for drivers but costing the state millions of dollars earmarked for State Police traffic safety and training programs and Secretary of State administrative expenses. The Secretary of State supports the proposal but wants changes to deal with implementation costs and lost revenue. The lead sponsor, from Wayland, explains. The Farm Bureau backs it. Co-sponsors include lawmakers from Three Rivers, Monroe, Harbor Springs, Hillsdale, McBain, Iron Mountain and Detroit. By Eric Freedman. FOR HOLLAND, MONROE, HILLSDALE, PETOSKEY, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, HARBOR SPRINGS, DETROIT, BIG RAPIDS, CADILLAC, THREE RIVERS, STURGIS, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS AND ALL POINTS.

Autos & Manufacturing

COVID shutdown cuts crashes and road repairs, but more people die

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COVID ROADS: Perhaps Michigan’s white-tailed deer population is one of the few winners of the pandemic. As traffic dropped during the COVID-19 shutdown, police reported fewer vehicle collisions with wildlife. People didn’t fare nearly as well. While fewer total car crashes were reported, they were deadlier as drivers drove faster and used their seatbelts less, state officials say. Also taking a road-related COVID-19 hit: tax revenues that finance road repairs.
Here’s a look at some of the consequences of the pandemic on Michigan’s highways. By Capital News Service. FOR ALL POINTS.

Autos & Manufacturing

Export controls, U.S.-China trade relationship, affect Michigan technology goods

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Michigan high-tech exports — which make up 1.1% of the U.S. total— may be subject to government controls partly due to international trade conflicts with the state’s third-biggest export market, China. Congress passed the Export Control Reform Act last year to regulate the transfer of specified technologies, information and services from the U.S., including artificial intelligence and machine learning technology, robotics, advanced computing technology and advanced surveillance technologies. A U-M economist and a Lansing trade lawyer explain. For business and news sections. By Mila Murray.

Autos & Manufacturing

Driverless shuttles gain steam in Michigan

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The greatest gripe about driverless buses? No music, according to a group of Michiganders who tested some. That’s good news for officials worried about the public’s more substantive concerns about getting on a bus without a driver. State officials are cautiously experimenting with driverless shuttles on university campuses and elsewhere. One promising opportunity is their use by people who are disabled. By Evan Jones.

Autos & Manufacturing

Robotics manufacturing shows Michigan’s automation leadership

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Economic development and manufacturing experts say Michigan’s deep roots in industrial innovation are leading to yet another industrial revolution. Robots, software and other automation technology are at its forefront, but a skilled workforce is needed to make it work. This could be the emerging bright spot of an economy built on the state’s automotive heritage. We talk to experts at Michigan Technological University, Northwestern Michigan College, the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Michigan Tech, a robotics company and a Bay City lawmaker. By Evan Jones.