29 September 2009

Duke, FPL to switch to hybrid, electric vehicles

Using plug-in hybrid vehicles or all-electric vehicles is becoming more main stream as two of the nation's largest power generators will make the switch for their company cars and trucks to starting next year.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke Energy and Juno Beach, Fla.-based FPL Group Inc. have more than 10,000 vehicles, and that means potential revenue of $600 million or more for manufacturers.

Company officials said the goal is in 10 years 100% of all new fleet vehicles will be plug-in electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The companies said plug-in cars will reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%, and 100% if a vehicle gets a charge from zero-carbon renewable energy sources, and lower fuel costs by 80%.

They said it also will help jump-start the market for these vehicles.

Duke has 4 million electric customers in five states, and FPL is the parent of Florida Power & Light, which has 4.5 million customers in Florida.

For related information, go to www.isa.org/productivity.