Reflecting on 2024: The EV Center’s Progress and Plans for 2025

The Electric Vehicle Center (EVC) at the University of Michigan made significant strides in 2024, advancing its mission to educate, innovate, and engage in accelerating the future of electric mobility. Now with more than 30 full- and part-time faculty and staff, the EVC worked to make Michigan the E-Motor Capital, driving EV technology and talent through collaborative and equitable initiatives.

Technology

Last year, the EVC prioritized industry needs, including batteries, electric drives, and thermal management, hosting workshops aligning research with real-world applications. A roadmap project portfolio engaged over 50 industry collaborators, including OEMs, Tier 1s, and infrastructure companies. The Center also launched pilot projects in critical areas such as battery technologies and electric machines, setting the stage for transformative advancements.

Education

The Center expanded its educational impact by piloting an online course on Battery Manufacturing Fundamentals, partnering with Schoolcraft College on an EV Technician Curriculum, and advancing the development of a Master’s in Battery Engineering, featuring hands-on labs and interdisciplinary electives. Pre-college and college learners benefitted from initiatives like the Undergraduate Research Experience program, interactive EV workshops, and the Grizzly Scholars program for middle school students from Ypsilanti Public Schools.

Workforce Development

EVC leveraged partnerships across industry, education, and communities to equip the current and next-generation workforce with critical EV skills. Collaborations with the U-M Center for Digital Curricula yielded EV bootcamps for educators and career-focused videos for K-8 learners. Other initiatives include an employer-focused EV portal and a comprehensive talent strategy to address workforce gaps.

Facilities Expansion

Facilities were a key focus, with Battery Lab 2.0 nearing completion and set to launch in 2025. This state-of-the-art facility includes advanced laser welding equipment and infrastructure supporting cutting-edge research. Planning for Battery Lab 3.0, a future hub for EV research and workforce training, also began, laying the groundwork for continued innovation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on the success of 2024, the EVC will continue its academic-industry technology portfolio workshops, funding additional research projects to address key industry needs. The Center will also host its first EV Symposium, uniting leaders from academia, industry, and government to drive collaboration and innovation.

In education and outreach, the Surge Session webinar series, launched in 2024, will continue alongside presentations and media interviews that reinforce the Center’s role as a trusted, non-partisan, and collaborative thought partner. New initiatives, including an XR-enhanced website and a career-focused MOOC, will further expand EVC’s impact on education and workforce development in electric mobility.

Through its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and equity, the EVC remains at the forefront of shaping the future of electric mobility.