Detroit put the “D” in Drive and the world on wheels. Now it is again driving the future of automotive technology as it plays host to The Business of Plugging In, its inaugural plug-in electric vehicle conference, Oct. 19-21 at the MotorCity Hotel and Conference Center.
The three-day, issues-oriented conference will bring together a diverse mix of leaders from the automotive, utility, education and new technology industries as well as policymakers from the regulatory and legislative branches, financiers and researchers to address the opportunities and challenges in bringing PEVs to the mass market.
The success of PEVs will be driven largely by policy and economics. The Business of Plugging In conference will explore viable solutions to these challenges. Tuesday, Oct. 20, the conference will explore The Electrification of the Vehicle: Supporting a National Strategy. Wednesday, Oct. 21, the conference will spotlight ways of creating economically viable pathways for PEVs in the When We Build It…Will They Come? session.
The conference, made possible by a grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission to DTE Energy, the University of Michigan and General Motors Corp. will include presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities. In addition, the latest innovations in PEVs, charging infrastructure, green power generation, smart grid applications and other advanced technologies will be on display. The Center for Automotive Research of Ann Arbor is managing the conference.
“Over the next several years, auto manufacturers will be introducing a wide range of electric plug-in vehicles and there are huge challenges in developing the infrastructure to support them,” said Al Fields, DTE Energy’s economic development manager. “This conference will foster the dialogue among utilities, automakers, regulators, universities and other stakeholders to assess the environmental impacts of PEVs and to assist with the understanding of how widespread adoption of electric vehicles will impact the electric system.”
"We need to be sure customers of plug-in vehicles fully enjoy their total ownership and usage experience,” said Larry Burns, General Motors vice president, research and development and strategic planning. "This will require customer-pleasing vehicles, a mature supply base, a capable/green grid, plug-in ready communities, and plug-in ready car buyers. It also means the key stakeholders must work together to deliver great cars, outstanding batteries, convenient charging outlets, and real value for the money."
"The success of electric-powered vehicles will depend on solid, innovative science and technology that is strongly married with a clear understanding of policy and market implications," said Ian Hiskens, Vennema professor of engineering and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at UM. "Michigan is well-positioned to both create those technological solutions and bring them quickly to consumers, and the University of Michigan is fully engaged in all aspects of finding the right transportation solutions that help break our dependence on fossil fuels.”
For more information on presenting at the conference, sponsoring or exhibiting, contact Denise Semon at the Center for Automotive Research, (734) 662-1287, via email at dsemon@cargroup.org or visit www.pev2009.com
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