Oncor Partners with Ford Motor Company To Seek Stimulus Funds for Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Test

DALLAS--Today, Oncor joined Ford Motor Company’s application for U.S. Department of Energy stimulus funds to support a groundbreaking test of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. If approved by the DOE, beginning in 2010, Oncor could receive as many as 67 plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles built by Ford as part of a nationwide effort to develop a commercial market for the new technology.

Ford’s goal is to work with leading utilities in the U.S. to demonstrate plug-in hybrids, electric vehicle technologies and related power grid infrastructure. Ford plans to leverage the stimulus funds to accelerate development of and placement of vehicles with participating utilities.

"Oncor’s advanced metering systems paired with a plug-in hybrid fleet could be the next great advance in automotive and utility technology applications. It could be the ‘ah ha!’ moment that changes conventional thinking. Add the opportunity to charge plug-in hybrids with wind power generated at night and delivered by a Renewable Energy Super Highway transmission system, and Texas is the best place in the nation to test this technology. Ford’s proposal is very appealing. We’re pleased to be part of the application," Bob Shapard, Oncor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said.