Ford, So Cal Ed to test plug-in hybrids

By Bernie Woodall

ROSEMEAD, California (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. on Monday announced a partnership with utility Southern California Edison to test a fleet of rechargeable electric vehicles and said it expected to sell such plug-in hybrids within the next decade if battery technology keeps pace.

"Within five to 10 years we will start to see this technology in our hands," Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally said at the event.

When asked if that meant plug-in hybrids would be available on showroom floors, Mulally said yes.

He declined to give a more precise production target, saying: "I can't go further than that. We will know a lot more in the next few years."

The remarks were the first time the No. 2 U.S. automaker has offered a timeline for producing plug-in hybrid vehicles, which many environmental advocates see as the best available technology to reduce gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Ford CEO and John Bryson, chief executive of Edison International, unveiled plans for an alliance to test plug-in hybrids vehicles at Edison International's headquarters in suburban Los Angeles on Monday.

Under the partnership, researchers from Southern California Edison and Ford will work together in "real world" testing of up to 20 plug-in hybrid vehicles, Ford spokesman John Clinard said.

Environmental advocates, who have targeted Ford in the past, welcomed the tie-up and said it showed the automaker was back in the race for electric car technology with Toyota Motor Corp and General Motors Corp.