DETROIT – Utility company DTE Energy received four Transit Connect Electric vans at its headquarters in downtown Detroit, according to a news release from Ford. DTE’s field crews who perform repair and maintenance operations will use the vehicles.

DTE operates a fleet of 3,300 vehicles composed primarily of trucks, vans, and SUVs, according to Automotive Fleet's Top 300 Commercial Fleets listing for 2011.

“The addition of these all-electric Transit Connects to our fleet will help Detroit Edison advance the use of electric vehicles in a couple of ways,” said Detroit Edison President and Chief Operating Officer, Steven Kurmas. “First, we will learn firsthand how these vehicles perform in day-to-day field operations and how we can make the best use of their unique characteristics. Second, they will help us learn more about how the use of electric vehicles by consumers and businesses will impact the electrical system and what utilities need to do to support adoption of these vehicles.”

According to Ford, DTE purchased the vehicles from Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, Mich., one of the first Transit Connect Electric-selling dealerships, and the first Ford dealership to offer a full line of gas, hybrid and electric vehicles.