DTE Energy - Our Commitment

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Detroit Edison supports the development of plug-in electric vehicles

Early electric cabs We’re excited to be part of the electrification of the transportation sector. This transition will revolutionize our industry while leading to a cleaner, greener future.

We’ve been working with automakers to provide that future for a long time. We've been involved in the development and use of electric-powered vehicles for over a century.

In the early 1900’s, Detroit was the first American city to use electric taxi cabs, many which were charged curbside using Detroit Edison technology.

The Modern Era

Nearly every major automaker plans to introduce a plug-in electric car over the next three years.

The electric utility industry has committed itself to to help speed the introduction and widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) as part of an effort to move to a greener and more energy-efficient economy for North America. Working with its industry association, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the industry identified five critical aspects (see graphic at right) for PEV success that electric utilities are uniquely positioned to support.

As the American auto industry’s “hometown” utility, we’re a leader in this industry effort and are addressing the five key areas of focus as follows:

Infrastructure	Our electrical system currently has the capacity to meet the additional demand of plug-in electric vehicles for the foreseeable future. Depending on when and where these vehicles are charged, the distribution system feeding certain neighborhoods may require upgrades. We are planning for those upgrades now.
Customer Support	We are committed to provide our customers a seamless transition to electric transportation. We are working with key stakeholders to streamline the process. We are actively reaching to our customers to understand their needs and expectation, and also their preferences when charging their vehicles.
Education	We worked alongside the Center for Automotive Research to organize the first Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit. We’re partnering with various stakeholders to gain knowledge around the different technologies, impacts on the grid, and infrastructure needs in order to create products and services for our customers in support of plug-in electric transportation.
Incentives	Detroit Edison currently offers competitive rates for plug-in electric vehicles, including incentives for off-peak charging. Off-peak charging is critical to encouraging customers to charge vehicles at night, when we have existing system capacity.
Utility Fleets	We have purchased a number of hybrid electric vehicles for daily use in various operations. As the plug-in vehicles become production vehicles we will incorporate them into our fleet as we retire existing internal-combustion vehicles.

This is just the beginning of our efforts; expect more announcements over the coming months and years.