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The chances of vehicles plugging into the nation's electric grid in the coming decade have never looked better. The Toyota Prius has proven to auto industry and consumers that cars with batteries work. What's missing is the ability to plug vehicles into the grid and running larger battery packs to drive mainly on electricity.
Current battery technology has made the potential of Plug-in Hybrids with comparable range and features to standard vehicles as well as short-range, electric vehicles a reality. Investors and large companies have allocated resources, pioneers are building cars, early adopters are converting and driving them, and demand for electric vehicles is growing. Soothsayers are also predicting cars with bi-directional chargers — drivers will not only be able to fuel up their vehicles from the electric grid, but also sell their batteries' electricity back to the Utilities during critical peak hours to help avoid construction of new power plants. In this scenario, grid-connected vehicles become small, renewable energy power stations.
The upcoming CleanTX Forum will address the impending growth and opportunities in the emerging grid-connected vehicle market. We will address the following questions and even show you some “vehicles of the future” that are actually available today…
- What is the product and market outlook for electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) electric vehicles?
What is the opportunity for the utility and for the auto industries?
What are the major consumer behavior, public policy, and technology barriers that might slow commercialization?
What are the entrepreneurial and economic opportunities in Austin to build this industry?
| Date: | Wednesday, September 19, 2007 |
| Time: | 5:00-6:00 Registration, Networking, and Product Demonstrations 6:00-8:30 Panel Discussion |
| Location: | Pickle Research Center in the Commons 10100 Burnet Road, Building 137 Austin, TX 78758 |
| RSVP: | http://www.austintechnologycouncil.org/cde.cfm?event=187849 |
| Cost: | $15 in advance / $20 at the door |
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