The Edison Electric Institute and the Department of Energy announced a partnership that aims to boost the production and use of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in the United States.
DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz and EEI President Tom Kuhn signed a memorandum of understanding Monday to take several joint actions, including research and outreach programs that promote the widespread adoption of EVs. The first action to be taken under the agreement will be a study on the economic impact of electric transportation in the United States.
The EEI, an industry group that represents investor-owned US electric companies, also announced that its fleet electrification initiative has exceed the anticipated $50 million annual industry commitment. The initiative will total more than $90 million in 2015 with EEI member companies adding more than 800 new plug-in vehicles and 740 new charging ports to utility fleets.
The EEI launched the fleet electrification initiative last year, which includes a commitment by the industry group and its partnering member companies to invest at least 5 percent of their annual fleet budgets in plug-in vehicles and technologies.
Last month, Ford Motor Company announced it would allow competitors to purchase its electrified vehicle technology patents in an effort to help accelerate industry-wide research and development of electrified vehicles.