Ford and GM to Teach ELP about EVs

Two of the three big American manufacturers, which will start rolling off electric vehicles beginning the end of this year, have decided to give a helping hand to the electric utility companies by sending their executives at the Electric Light & Power Executive Conference (ELP).

Set to start on January 30 at the Omni San Diego Hotel, the ELP will benefit from the presence of Mike Tinskey, Ford's global manager of electric vehicle infrastructure and an unnamed person from GM.

The conference is meant as a tool for the automotive and electric industries to exchange thoughts and ideas in light of the launch of the Chevrolet Volt and Ford Focus Electric. The event will host a so-called Electric Vehicle Update, a special moment in the conference that will present the status of battery technology, the breakthroughs needed for further development, R&D, and how the electric power industry can prepare for EVs.

"We are elated to secure Mike on our electric vehicle panel," said Teresa Hansen, editor-in-chief of Electric Light & Power magazine.

"Utility executives need to meet the guy responsible for developing and implementing Ford's electric vehicle strategy. He holds three global patents in fuel systems. He'll be able to give the utility industry realistic expectations for the worldwide deployment of electric vehicles."

As you already know, the Chevrolet Volt will hit the American market by the end of the month as the first mass-produced PHEV in the US. Ford plans to begin its involvement with the electric vehicle market by launching the Focus EV next year.