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Utilities Prepare to Power Up at Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles


charging station (select to view enlarged photo)

LOS ANGELES--April 12, 2012: Innovative utility companies will be featured during the 26th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles at the L.A. Convention Center. Theodore F. Craver, Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Edison International, will be speaking at the opening plenary, along with other utility and infrastructure experts throughout the symposium.

“Utility companies nationwide are leading the way to provide support, incentives and help with grid readiness for charging electric vehicles.”

"Successful partnerships with utilities are crucial for building the electric vehicle industry," explained Brian Wynne, president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), the U.S. association dedicated to advancing electric drive technologies and the hosting organization for the symposium. "Utility companies nationwide are leading the way to provide support, incentives and help with grid readiness for charging electric vehicles."

Utility Speakers

Wynne and Craver will launch the symposium during the first plenary session on May 7. The two will share their outlook on the progress and future prospects of the international electric drive industry, emphasizing the benefits of adopting these technologies. Craver brings his expertise from Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison. Southern California Edison has integrated electric vehicles with its utility services. In addition to Southern California Edison, other key global utilities and electric power organizations will be represented at EVS26, such as San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern Company, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Duke Energy, the Edison Electric Institute and the Electric Power Research Institute.

Utility Education Sessions

Expert speakers will highlight a number of topics important for utilities in the electric drive market, including preparing utilities for an increasing number of electric drive vehicles on the market, maintaining relationships with local authorities to facilitate regulations and policies (such as pricing codes and permitting), and educating their customers about plugging into the grid. Specific topics discussed at EVS26 will include:

  • Are Taxpayer and Private Dollars Being Spent on Creating Effective Electric Vehicle Infrastructure?;
  • Needs and Impacts of Plug-In Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure;
  • Impacts of Multiple Daily PHEV Charging on Electrified Miles and Energy Demand;
  • Expanding the Availability of Public Charging; and
  • The Importance of Model Electric Utility Policies.

EDTA presents the symposium under the auspices of the World Electric Vehicle Association and in partnership with AVERE (the European Association for Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) and the Electric Vehicle Association of Asia Pacific (EVAAP).

Register for EVS26 by visiting EVS 26 .

About EDTA: The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the preeminent trade association representing battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure. EDTA conducts public policy advocacy, education, industry networking, and international conferences. EDTA's membership includes vehicle and equipment manufacturers, energy companies, technology developers, component suppliers, government agencies and others. For more information about EDTA and its members, visit Electric Drive . For information about owning and operating electric vehicles, please visit Go Electric Drive .