Taking Place in Raleigh in July, Conference Will Offer a Complete, Open and Direct Dialogue on the Future of Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Transportation.

Registration is now open for the Plug-In 2011 Conference & Exposition, which will provide attendees with the latest insights from experts on the technical advances, market research and policy initiatives shaping the future of plug-in hybrid and electric transportation. The fourth annual international conference (www.plugin2011.com) - which for the first time will include an attendee ride-n-drive - will take place July 18-21, 2011, in Raleigh, N.C.

With plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles from original equipment manufacturers now on the market, representatives from automotive manufacturers, component suppliers, electric utilities, government agencies, academia and the environmental community will find the Plug-In 2011 Conference & Exposition an ideal setting to share best practices, advance policies, hear from industry leaders and see the latest innovations associated with plug-in and electric transportation technology on the exposition floor.

The agenda for Plug-In 2011 will include four high-level plenary sessions, plus breakout sessions with working experts on vehicle, component and infrastructure technologies; results of pilot programs; customer surveys; PEV/PHEV readiness plans; and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

"Nowhere else will industry stakeholders have a more complete, more open and more direct dialogue about plug-in hybrid and electric transportation than at Plug-In 2011," said Mark Duvall, director of Electric Transportation at the Electric Power Research Institute, the conference organizer.

Plug-In 2011 also will feature two pre-conference workshops - one on plug-in vehicle readiness for communities, and the other focused on how educators can create career pathways in the industry for students - and a public night. The attendee ride-n-drive in selected plug-in and electric vehicles is scheduled for Monday, July 18 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The always-popular exposition floor, showcasing vehicles, supporting electricity infrastructure and much more, already includes more than 30 confirmed exhibitors. Among these are Nissan North America, displaying the all-electric LEAF, and Toyota Motor Sales, showing the Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Plug-in 2011 will build on the successful past conferences, held in San Jose, Calif. (2008), Long Beach, Calif. (2009), and back in San Jose (2010). Plug-In 2010 drew record attendance of more than 700 attendees, 100 media and more than 40 exhibiting companies. Public Night attracted a record 1,300 local consumers.

Progress Energy and Duke Energy are working with the Electric Power Research Institute as local organizers for Plug-In 2011. To register or reserve a booth for the event, visit www.plugin2011.com.