GM, utility group to announce electric car tie-up

[IDemo]

By Kevin Krolicki

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) 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.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN1845827620080718