The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is pleased to announce its support for the FREEDOM Act, which will accelerate the development and deployment of plug-in electric drive vehicles.

EDTA Applauds FREEDOM Act for Development of

Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicles

June 14, 2007--Washington, DC—The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is pleased to announce its support for the FREEDOM Act, which will accelerate the development and deployment of plug-in electric drive vehicles. Introduced today by Senators Hatch, Cantwell, and Obama, the bill will help to commercialize all plug-in electric drive vehicles - battery, hybrid, and fuel cell - and support expanded U.S. manufacturing capacity for advanced vehicles and components.

EDTA is the multi-industry trade association promoting battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure. Its membership includes automotive and other equipment manufacturers, utility companies, technology developers, component suppliers, and government agencies.

The FREEDOM Act aims to increase U.S. manufacturing capacity for advanced vehicles and components, help consumers purchase these advanced vehicles, and support the efforts of utilities to expand plug-in electric drive vehicle ownership. Together, these incentives will help the United States to address the challenges of oil dependence and climate change.

"Senator Hatch's leadership and vision for advanced transportation has been critical to the growth and expansion of electric drive technology," says EDTA President Brian Wynne. "The FREEDOM Act's comprehensive approach to the electrification of transportation will result in real reductions in oil consumption and greenhouse gases and real increases in energy security and environmental quality. Senator Cantwell and Senator Obama have demonstrated their commitment to transforming transportation through their co-sponsorship of this bill."

About EDTA:

The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the trade association representing battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure. EDTA conducts public policy advocacy, education, industry networking, and international conferences. EDTA's membership includes automotive and other equipment manufacturers, utility companies, technology developers, component suppliers, and government agencies. For more information about EDTA and its members, visit www.electricdrive.org.