Eaton gets $600K grant to expand EV development in Michigan

The state of Michigan has contributed a $600,000 grant to Eaton to expand its development of EV solutions. (Photo: Eaton)

Intelligent power management company Eaton received a $600,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s “Jobs Ready Michigan Program” to expand testing, research and development of electrified vehicle (EV) solutions.

“Michigan is a global leader in the future of mobility and high-tech innovation, and we are very pleased to receive funding from the state on this project,” said eMobility President Mark Schneider. “Support from the grant will allow us to accelerate plans to expand our eMobility capabilities within Michigan. It is a testament to the importance of the state to the automotive industry that it was chosen for the project over competing sites in the U.S. and abroad.”

Eaton said it is preparing to add 100 high-wage jobs in the Midwestern state, and they will be positions “focused on electrification research, which will include a mix of new hires and legacy employees transitioning to electrified vehicles across our Michigan locations,” Schneider said.

The company will use the funds at three of its facilities in the state: Marshall, Southfield and Canton.

The Marshall site expansion project will include a new lab for conducting development, environmental, validation and durability testing for a wide range of EV components, including power electronics, battery-protection systems, terminals, connectors, inverters, converters and power-distribution systems.

Additionally, the company’s near-term goals in Michigan include developing proving grounds test space geared toward testing autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles and alternative fuels; updated test equipment focused on e-axle, e-gearing, e-transmission and e-differentials for the ePowertrain business; additional on-site charging stations; solar farms for sustainability and demand reduction on current infrastructure; and aligning opportunities at Eaton Aerospace facilities.