LOS ANGELES – David West, vice president of Marketing for Raser Technologies, Inc., recently addressed the Green West Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and also participated in a panel discussion focused on how advanced plug-in hybrid technology can be used to help green America’s utility and government fleets, according to Business Wire.

Also on the panel was Bill Zeller, senior program manager of Clean Transportation for Pacific Gas & Electric, a leading California utility, and Ed Kjaer, director of Electric Transportation for Southern California Edison. Both Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison are founding members of the Plug-in Hybrid Development Consortium, along with Raser Technologies, Inc.

West introduced Raser’s advanced electric drive system architecture, designed to allow fleet trucks and SUVs to achieve over 100 mpg in typical local daily driving by driving the first 40 miles under all-electric power. West noted that California utility fleets such as Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison are leading the way by adopting plug-in hybrid and extended range electric vehicles into their fleets due to their numerous benefits.

Extended range electric vehicles, also known as E-REVs, operate under full electric power, without range limitations of electric vehicles, due to an onboard generator or “range extender.” Larger lithium ion battery packs can be recharged at night for about 1/4 the cost of gasoline. Raser’s series PHEV drive system is designed to allow larger fleet vehicles the benefits of extended range electric vehicles including a dramatic reduction in fuel costs and harmful emissions, while helping fleets qualify for alternative fuel and other fleet incentives.