LOS ANGELES - The California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative -- comprising a range of state agencies, groups and companies with a stake in the growing EV market -- is calling for more measures to support fleet purchases of the vehicles. 

That's one of several recommendations found in the group's new strategic plan, titled "Taking Charge: Establishing California Leadership in the Plug-In Electric Vehicle Marketplace." The group on Dec. 13 held a press conference to highlight its various recommendations to promote EV use and create an adequate EV infrastructure. 

The plan, available here, specifically recommends the development of new policies targeted for fleets and additional measures to leverage fleet purchasing power. The plan was written by the PH&EV Research Center at the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis. Members of the California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative provided guidance. 

Other plan recommendations include:

• Launching a public outreach effort to increase consumer demand for, and awareness of, plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs)

• Reducing PEV costs

• Simplifying and prioritizing home charging installations

• Optimizing placement of non-residential charging infrastructure

• Ensuring the reliability and safety of California's electricity grid

• Maximizing job creation and economic benefit

• Reinforcing California policy leadership to guide PEV markets

• Encouraging and coordinating local and regional government efforts

• Researching and demonstrating opportunities for PEVs to support California's electricity grid.  

Participants in the collaborative include General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Southern California Edison, California Air Resources Board, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others.