Jun 21 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Brent Snavely Detroit Free Press

DTE Energy Corp. and Southern California Edison joined the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership on Friday so they can take part in the development of electric vehicles.

The organization's goal is to foster research and development that leads to vehicles powered by alternative fuels and electricity, and to remove the idea that green vehicles are a luxury niche for a few, said Alexander Karsner, U.S. assistant secretary of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

"These are the cars that say it's not about the green badge of courage, it's about Americans availing themselves of fuel choice from different platforms ... like hydrogen and electricity," Karsner said.

The consortium includes the Detroit Three, as well as five major energy companies. FreedomCAR is part of the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC, better known as USCAR.

Karsner said the organization sought to add utility companies because electric cars must be recharged by electricity from power plants. Utilities are essential because they can help develop and build the infrastructure, industry standards and codes needed to support electric vehicles.

"To be a hometown utility with a long, rich relationship with the Detroit Three and to be admitted in as a charter member is an honor," said Daniel Brudzynski, DTE Energy's vice president of regulatory affairs.

Contact BRENT SNAVELY at 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com.