DALLAS – Oncor has joined Ford Motor Company's application for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) stimulus funds to support plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle testing. If approved by the DOE, beginning in 2010, Oncor could receive as many as 67 plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles built by Ford as part of a nationwide effort to develop a commercial market for the new technology.

Ford's goal is to work with leading utilities in the U.S. to demonstrate plug-in hybrids, electric vehicle technologies and related power grid infrastructure. Ford plans to leverage the stimulus funds to accelerate development of and placement of vehicles with participating utilities.

"Oncor's advanced metering systems paired with a plug-in hybrid fleet could be the next great advance in automotive and utility technology applications. It could be the 'ah ha!' moment that changes conventional thinking," said Bob Shapard, Oncor chairman and chief executive officer. "Add the opportunity to charge plug-in hybrids with wind power generated at night and delivered by a Renewable Energy Super Highway transmission system, and Texas is the best place in the nation to test this technology. Ford's proposal is very appealing. We're pleased to be part of the application."

Oncor committed to installing advanced metering systems, charging station technologies, and to be responsible for other educational and reporting efforts.

Oncor leads the nation in the deployment of advanced metering systems, intelligent, state-of-the-art devices that record energy use in real-time, an essential element in the commercialization and development of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. Advanced metering systems make it possible to charge plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles off-peak when prices can be lower. Retail electric providers operating in Oncor's service area have the opportunity to provide savings through time-of-use rates to help consumers take advantage of electric vehicles. Shifting electric use to nighttime will enable better integration of wind energy into the Texas market, according to the company.

By 2012, Oncor will replace every meter in its system with advanced meter systems, 600,000 of which should be installed by year-end.

Oncor delivers power to approximately 3 million homes and businesses and operates more than 117,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas.