Michigan joins California – announced last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show – as another initial retail market.
Chevrolet will deliver more than 100 Volts to several utilities beginning in 2010 – including DTE Energy – as part of an extended research and demonstration fleet program. As part of the program, 500 charging stations will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging, and to gain customer feedback.
“A key factor in the widespread success of electric vehicles will be the ability of utilities to supply ‘fuel’ on demand and at a reasonable cost,” said Steven E. Kurmas, president and chief operating officer of DTE Energy’s electric utility, Detroit Edison. “Working with the auto industry, the Department of Energy and other stakeholders, DTE Energy and electric utilities nationwide are fully committed to developing a robust charging infrastructure that will support electric vehicles and make the transition to electric transportation a success.”
Chevrolet is also working with other Michigan entities outside of the Detroit area to begin making Michigan ready for plug-in vehicles. Utilities we are working with include the Lansing Board of Water & Light and Consumers Energy.
Chevy announced a similar partnership last month with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and California utilities Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
