President Barack Obama Thursday previewed an innovative plug-in hybrid electric utility truck with a power system developed by Eaton and the Electric Power Research Institute. The
President visited the Electric Vehicle Technical Center of Southern California Edison

in Pomona, Calif., to view an array of advanced technology vehicles.

During a speech at the event, the President explained that in addition to green jobs being a key element of the Recovery Act, it will be a focus of his economic blueprint throughout his presidency:

"Over the next three years, we will double this nation's supply of renewable energy," President Obama said,. "We've also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history -- an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in science and technology. We will invest $15 billion a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power, advanced biofuels, clean coal, and fuel-efficient cars and trucks that are built right here in the United States of America."

The plug-in hybrid truck, which is estimated to deliver fuel economy improvements of up to 70
percent compared to a conventionally powered truck, with corresponding reductions in
harmful emissions, was developed for Southern California Edison. Eaton is in the early test
phase of the plug-in system and is considering it as a potential future offering.

"Eaton is pleased to add plug-in hybrid power systems to our portfolio, in concert with EPRI
and Southern California Edison at this important event attended by President Obama," said
James E. Sweetnam, president, Eaton Truck Group. "We salute Southern California Edison,
a long-standing customer of ours, for its commitment to innovation and energy efficiency."

The plug-in hybrid truck is the first of five "boom and bucket" trucks based on a Ford F-550
chassis that will be provided by Eaton, EPRI and Ford to public and private utility fleets in the
United States for use and evaluation. In addition to fuel and emissions savings while the truck
is on the road, additional energy savings are available by utilizing the electric side of the
system to power the ancillary systems and tools when the truck is stopped at a work site.

The entire system can be recharged by plugging it into a standard 120- or 240-volt electrical
outlet. Once charged, the battery energy can be used to supplement engine power and also
provide power to operate auxiliaries, such as the utility truck boom.