GM, utility group to announce electric car tie-up

By Kevin Krolicki

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N) and an organization representing U.S. utilities are set to announce a partnership to prepare for the widespread sale of plug-in electric cars, people familiar with the plans said Friday.

GM and the Electric Power Research Institute will announce the tie-up next week at an event in San Jose, California, to promote rechargeable electric vehicles like the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, those briefed on the plans said.

The tie-up would mark the second between a major U.S. automaker and EPRI, which conducts research for the electric power industry and represents utilities that generate more than 90 percent of the power in the United States.

Representatives of GM and EPRI both declined comment.

The announcement would come as GM prepares to unveil the production version of the all-electric Volt, the most visible symbol of the automaker's attempt to break its association with gas-guzzlers like the Hummer brand it is now looking to sell.

GM is designing the Volt, which is expected to go into production in 2010, to run for 40 miles (64 kilometers) on a lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged at a standard electric outlet.

The Volt will also capture energy from braking, like a traditional hybrid, and feature an on-board engine that will kick in to recharge its battery pack on longer trips.

GM plans to begin building the Volt in late 2010 at a Detroit factory and is expected to show off the production design for the car and name a battery supplier for its key component in the coming weeks.