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Ford Motor Company and the City of Seattle announced a partnership to help prepare the city for the operation of electric vehicles. Ford and the City of Seattle will work together to develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support the necessary demand.

"Ford has an aggressive plan to bring five new electrified vehicles to market over the next two years including the Transit Connect Electric later this year and the Focus battery electric in 2011," said Mike Tinskey, Manager of Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure, Ford Motor Company.

"There is an incredible excitement for electric vehicles in Seattle. To support the roll out and acceptance of these vehicles in Seattle and across the country, it is important to work with local utilities to make sure the necessary infrastructure and demand on the grid are ready."

The partnership between Ford and the City of Seattle, including municipally owned Seattle City Light, also involves working with the state and local governments around permitting, electric vehicle tax incentives and future legislations or regulations. Continued tax incentives as well as an easy charging station permitting process are both considered keys to electric vehicle acceptance in Seattle and across the country.

"I am pleased Seattle is working to support the environmental benefits of electric vehicles," Mayor Mike McGinn said. "We are working with Ford to better understand the needs these vehicles will have so we can provide local owners with excellent service to support electric cars."

Earlier this week, Ford and Portland General Electric announced a similar relationship to help the city of Portland, Ore. get ready for electric vehicles.


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