Dunbar Tower in Ann Arbor receives first electric vehicle under an MDOT $2.5 million grant

State investment expands community-led carsharing to bring
low-cost transportation access across Michigan

LANSING, MI - Dunbar Tower, a new affordable housing development in downtown Ann Arbor, is now home to the first electric vehicle deployed under the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Michigan $15 Million Equitable Mobility Challenge program. The placement marks the beginning of a major expansion of MI Carshare, a community-led electric carsharing program that provides hourly and daily vehicle access to residents at rates as low as $5 per hour.

The three-year, $2.5 million award to Mobility Development Operations (MDO) will grow MI Carshare's fleet from four Michigan cities to a statewide platform, totaling 65 electric vehicles by the end of 2028. The expansion builds on the success of existing carshare programs in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, and will extend affordable transportation access to Lansing, Flint and other communities with critical mobility needs.

"This expansion represents a transformative moment for equitable mobility in Michigan," said Creighton Randall, CEO of Mobility Development Operations. "We're taking a model that has been successful in four Michigan cities and scaling it statewide, ensuring that families across Michigan have access to affordable, clean transportation when and where they need it."

MDO has partnered with the City of Ann Arbor's Housing Commission and Avalon Housing to operate MI Carshare vehicles at locations throughout the city since 2024. The Dunbar Tower vehicle is the first to be supported by the new state funding, which was awarded in January 2026. MDO will look next to partners in Detroit and has already heard from multiple community-based organizations seeking to better serve their neighborhoods.

"Michigan's leadership in mobility is rooted in our commitment to making innovation work for everyone," said Justine Johnson, chief mobility officer at the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. "Through the Equitable Mobility Challenge, we're expanding community-led electric carsharing to help ensure that more residents, especially in underserved communities, have access to affordable, reliable transportation that connects them to jobs, education, healthcare and opportunity. This investment underscores the strength of public-private partnerships in scaling proven solutions, and we encourage communities interested in advancing equitable mobility to connect and explore how this model can support their residents."

Community-Led Carsharing Addresses Critical Mobility Gaps

MI Carshare addresses transportation barriers that disproportionately affect low- and moderate-income households. Members use electric vehicles for grocery shopping, medical appointments and other essential errands that may be difficult to complete using public transit alone. At $5 per hour or $60 per day, including charging, the service provides the convenience of a car without the financial burden of ownership.

"Transportation costs consume nearly 20 percent of household income for many Michigan families," said Jean Ruestman, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation administrator. "This program offers a practical, affordable alternative that complements existing transit options and connects people to jobs, healthcare and education."

"A core part of Avalon Housing's mission is to support all aspects of our tenants' lives as they exit homelessness." said Aaron Cooper, executive director of Avalon Housing. "That means anything from food pantries to eviction prevention to access to health care. We know from years of providing these kinds of support that transportation, whether to a doctor's appointment or the grocery store, can be a huge issue for people trying to build a foundation for life after homelessness. That's why this carshare service is so valuable for Avalon residents."

One Detroit member summed up her experience: "I'm so glad a staff member at Eastside Community Network told me about the carshare program. It's been very helpful in giving me my independence to take care of business and run errands in a timely fashion."

The program also reduces barriers to driving electric vehicles, which typically require higher upfront costs for purchase and home charging equipment. Through MI Carshare, members can access zero-emission transportation without these financial obstacles.

Statewide Access and Expansion

MDO's platform allows users to reserve and access vehicles across all participating Michigan cities through a single mobile app. A Detroit resident can book a vehicle in Grand Rapids, and vice versa, creating a connected network of shared mobility options throughout the state.

MI Carshare was launched in 2024 by Forth in partnership with MDO and Michigan Clean Cities and initially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and DTE Energy, a founding partner and continued supporter. The MDOT award provides crucial support to maintain and grow the service in Michigan.

The expansion will concentrate service where demand is highest: a total of 35 vehicles are planned for Detroit and Grand Rapids, with at least 30 additional vehicles distributed to Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint and other cities. By the end of 2028, the program is projected to serve at least 5,000 enrolled users and generate 1 million miles of zero-emissions travel annually.

Building on Successful Community Partnerships

The expansion leverages MDO's proven partnership model with local organizations. Following successful collaborations with the City of Grand Rapids' DART program, Eastside Community Network in Detroit, Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor and more, MDO will work with municipalities, transit agencies and community-based organizations to ensure service locations and outreach efforts reach residents who can benefit most.

"MDO has spent 15 years building and refining equitable carshare programs across the country from Buffalo to Los Angeles," said Anna Cook, MDO's MI Carshare Project Manager. "Michigan is leading the way in showing how electric carsharing can be a true public service: accessible, affordable and community-controlled."

For more information about MI Carshare or to sign up, visit mdocarshare.org/michigan/ or contact [email protected]

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ABOUT MOBILITY DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS

Mobility Development Operations (MDO) is a leading national operator in equitable shared mobility. MDO works with cities, states, transit agencies, and community-based organizations to develop community-controlled EV carshare and bikeshare programs that serve low- and moderate-income communities. MDO operates programs across the United States with a focus on providing affordable, accessible transportation options that complement public transit.

ABOUT MICHIGAN'S EQUITABLE MOBILITY CHALLENGE

The Michigan $15 Million Equitable Mobility Challenge is a Michigan Department of Transportation initiative designed to expand transportation access in underserved communities across the state, with a focus on innovative, sustainable mobility solutions that improve quality of life and economic opportunity.

ABOUT AVALON HOUSING

Founded in 1992, Avalon Housing's mission is to build healthy, safe and inclusive supportive housing communities as a long-term solution to homelessness. Avalon owns and manages 30 sites in Ann Arbor, Dexter and Chelsea, and has 150 units in the pipeline in new projects in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. https://avalonhousing.org/