Utilities Join PHEV Consortium

Southern California Edison is the latest company to join the Plug-In Hybrid Development Consortium, a group of automotive suppliers, manufacturers, and other organizations aiming to accelerate the commercial production of the Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric, another founding member, are the two largest investor-owned utilities in California. The involvement of these major utility companies is significant because PHEVs would rely on the electrical grid to charge their on-board batteries. Once charged, these vehicles would drive their first 25-50 miles on electricity alone.

Recent additions to the Consortium include Enax, a maker of advanced lithium batteries capable of five minute rapid recharge, as well as other companies specializing in advanced battery technology. The Consortium was organized to help reduce the research and development gap between component suppliers and original equipment manufacturers, to coordinate and accelerate the development of critical new solutions, and reduce the development time for PHEVs. The members the Consortium plan to develop compatible components and cost-effective working designs that would enable a PHEV to achieve gasoline fuel economy of 100-200 mpg.