Plug-In To Detroit October 19-21 2009

The first plug-in electric vehicle conference to be held in Detroit – The Business of Plugging In

Dearborn, Mich., May 5, 2009; Detroit put the “D” in Drive and the world on wheels. Now, it is once again driving the future of automotive technology as it plays host to The Business of Plugging In, its inaugural plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) conference, Oct. 19-21, 2009 at the MotorCity Hotel and Conference Center.

The three-day, issues-oriented conference will bring together a diverse mix of leaders from the automotive, utility, education and new technology industries as well as policymakers from the regulatory and legislative branches, financiers and researchers to address the opportunities and challenges in bringing PEVs to the mass market.

The success of PEVs will be driven largely by policy and economics. The Business of Plugging In conference will explore viable solutions to these challenges. Tuesday, Oct. 20, the conference will explore The Electrification of the Vehicle: Supporting a National Strategy. Wednesday, Oct. 21, the conference will spotlight ways of creating economically viable pathways for PEVs in the When We Build It…Will They Come? session.

The conference, made possible by a grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission to DTE Energy, the University of Michigan and General Motors Corporation, will include presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities. In addition, the latest innovations in PEVs, charging infrastructure, green power generation, smart grid applications and other advanced technologies will be on display. The Center for Automotive Research, based in Ann Arbor, MI, is managing the conference.

“Over the next several years, auto manufacturers will be introducing a wide range of electric plug-in vehicles and there are huge challenges in developing the infrastructure to support them,” said Al Fields, DTE Energy’s economic development manager. “This conference will foster the dialogue among utilities, automakers, regulators, universities and other stakeholders to assess the environmental impacts of PEVs and to assist with the understanding of how widespread adoption of electric vehicles will impact the electric system.”

"We need to be sure customers of plug-in vehicles fully enjoy their total ownership and usage experience,” said Larry Burns, General Motors vice president, research and development and strategic planning. "This will require customer-pleasing vehicles, a mature supply base, a capable/green grid, plug-in ready communities, and plug-in ready car buyers. It also means the key stakeholders must work together to deliver great cars, outstanding batteries, convenient charging outlets, and real value for the money."

"The success of electric-powered vehicles will depend on solid, innovative science and technology that is strongly married with a clear understanding of policy and market implications," said Ian Hiskens, Vennema professor of engineering and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan. "Michigan is well-positioned to both create those technological solutions and bring them quickly to consumers, and the University of Michigan is fully engaged in all aspects of finding the right transportation solutions that help break our dependence on fossil fuels.”

For more information on presenting at the Conference, sponsoring or exhibiting, contact Denise Semon at the Center for Automotive Research, 734.662.1287, via email at dsemon@cargroup.org or visit www.pev2009.com

About the Founding Partners

DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan and other non-utility, energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, coal and gas midstream, unconventional gas production and energy trading. Information about DTE Energy is available at www.dteenergy.com.

The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute is charting a path to a clean, secure and affordable energy future by developing and coordinating energy research and education in the physical and social sciences at the University of Michigan. For more information, visit www.energy.umich.edu.

General Motors Corp. , one of the world’s largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 243,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

About the Center for Automotive Research

The Center for Automotive Research, a nonprofit organization, is focused on a wide variety of important trends and changes related to the automobile industry and society at the international, federal, state and local levels. CAR conducts industry research, develops new methodologies, forecasts industry trends, advises on public policy and sponsors multi-stakeholder communication forums. For more information visit, www.cargroup.org