Utilities group, Energy Department to promote electric cars

New Orleans, Louisiana – The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have announced a new private-public partnership that will identify and pursue collaborative opportunities between the government and the utility industry to promote and accelerate the nationwide adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

During EEI's Annual Convention in New Orleans, DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz and EEI President Tom Kuhn today signed a memorandum of understanding to take a variety of joint actions—including research, infrastructure, and outreach programs—to accelerate the widespread adoption of EVs.

"The electric power industry is a tremendous leader in moving the electric transportation market forward, and we are excited to work with our federal partners to bring about the economic, environmental, and security benefits of transportation electrification," says Kuhn. "Transportation electrification benefits electric utility customers, while also bolstering America's energy security and sustainability. These are priorities our industry shares with our government partners."

"The U.S. transportation system produces a third of the country's carbon emissions, making it essential that we improve plug-in electric vehicle technology and increase their numbers on the road," Moniz says.

EEI's collaboration with DOE builds on the electric utility industry's leadership on transportation electrification. One example of this dedication is EEI's fleet electrification initiative. Launched last year, this effort includes a commitment by EEI and its partnering member companies to invest at least 5% of their annual fleet budgets in plug-in vehicles and technologies.

Today, EEI announced that its fleet electrification initiative has exceeded the anticipated $50 million annual industry commitment, and will total more than $90 million in 2015, adding more than 800 new plug-in vehicles and 740 new charging ports to utility fleets.

Source: Edison Electric Institute