EDTA Applauds Utility Industry Pledge for Electric Vehicles

SEE ALSO: EV=MOTORING.COM

Washington, DC--October 21, 2009--The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), the trade association accelerating battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure, applauds the collective pledge by the nation's electric utilities to aggressively create infrastructure to support the deployment and commercialization of grid-connected vehicles.

The announcement was made earlier today in Detroit by Anthony F. Earley, Jr., Chairman and CEO of DTE Energy and Chairman of the Edison Electric Institute, William Clay Ford, Jr., Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.

"Several of EDTA's members are at the forefront of this cross-sector pledge," says EDTA President Brian Wynne. "Today's announcement reinforces the electric drive industries' commitment to move transportation away from oil and toward electricity. Through our own National Plug-in Vehicle Initiative, EDTA is working with these, and other, industry leaders to advance development, educate consumers and enable plug-in transportation communities."

The utility industry's pledge focuses on the following components of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV):

· Infrastructure -- Utilities will help ensure that there are no system impacts from fueling large numbers of plug-in vehicles from the power grid. They also will help develop comprehensive local charging infrastructure plans.

· Customer Support -- Utilities will ensure that PEV customers receive excellent customer care on questions ranging from charging mechanics to rates.

· Customer and Stakeholder Education -- Utilities will collaborate with state and local officials, automakers and other stakeholders to provide comprehensive education outreach to customers on all aspects of PEVs.

· Vehicle and Infrastructure Incentives -- Utilities will work closely with federal, state and local stakeholders to encourage PEV penetration, including purchase incentives, tax rebates, off-peak charging rates and subsidized parking.

· Utility fleets -- Utilities will take significant steps to accelerate the introduction of PEVs into their utility fleet operations.

About EDTA:

The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the trade association representing battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure. EDTA conducts public policy advocacy, education, industry networking, and international conferences. EDTA's membership includes automotive and other equipment manufacturers, energy companies, technology developers, component suppliers, and government agencies. For more information about EDTA and its members, visit www.electricdrive.org (http://www.electricdrive.org).

SEE ALSO: EV=MOTORING.COM