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August 30, 2008 6:15:11 AM CDT

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GM, Utilities Join to Speed Plug-Ins

Posted Jul 22, 08 11:49 AM CDT in Business,  Technology 

(Newser) – General Motors and three dozen electric utilities in nearly 40 states have agreed to work together on the transition to plug-in electric vehicles that are expected to begin rolling out within 2 years, the Wall Street Journal reports. With GM’s Chevy Volt and Saturn Vue  expected to hit the market first, cooperation is needed to make sure recharging cars don't overwhelm the power grid.

The utilities and GM will sync intelligence, allowing car and grid to recognize each other and charge at the most efficient times. Off-peak recharging could make grids more efficient by utilizing excess capacity at night to charge tens of millions of cars. The  Volt is expected to run for 40 miles before the gasoline engine kicks in; with daily recharge, it could top 600 miles on a single tank of gas.

Source Wall Street Journal

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The Chevy Volt is on display during the Chevrolet news conference at the New York International Auto Show Wednesday, March 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Chevy Volt concept, a plug-in, electric vehicle like no other. By some estimates, a car charged daily would get 600 miles per full tank of gasoline.   (AP Photo)
Tom Stephens, group vice president of global powertrain and quality, shows off the Saturn Vue Green Line Plug-in Hybrid at the North American International Auto Show Monday, Jan. 14, 2008 in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line two-mode hybrid. Saturn, the GM brand that has carved out a green image, is trying to distinguish itself with a compact SUV that gives consumers more choice.   (AP Photo/General Motors Co.)
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General Motors  • hybrid car  • electric cars  • power grid  • green transportation  • Chevrolet Volt  • utility companies


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