With major auto manufacturers seemingly announcing new plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles each week, questions remain about infrastructure preparedness. The auto companies are focusing on rolling out cars in the regions are best prepared to sell and charge the new vehicles.

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a non-profit "think-and-do tank" focusing on sustainable energy policy, is recruiting many of the largest metro areas to get the public and private sector geared up for EVs. That collaboration has paid off as RMI partner cities Portland and Raleigh recently receiving considerable funding from the Department of Energy for electric vehicle field tests and infrastructure development.

According to RMI consultant Matt Matilla, Denver, Houston Baltimore and Rhode Island have signed on to the organization's committing to encourage electric vehicle adoption and engage the local communities. Matilla said RMI has had successful conversations with a variety of utilities, car share programs, and private groups to commit to buying EVs. Utilities Duke Energy and Florida and Power and Light last week both committed to converting their fleets to EVs.

Getting private involvement to install EV charging station is somewhat challenging because the expected revenue from charging is small relative to the cost of the equipment. According to Matilla, retailers such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart are considering allowing customers to charge for free as a way to attract consumers. Businesses are considering installing charging stations as a benefit for staff, and to attract employees who are sustainably minded.

RMI's larger vision for the smart use of electric vehicles in known as the Smart Garage+"," which Mantilla will discuss at the RMI 2009: Reinventing Fireconference, which takes place October 1-3 in San Francisco The interactive panel on Saturday will discuss the challenges in getting away from the "petroleum monoculture" and towards vehicle electrification. The topics to be discussed will include the strengths and limitations of plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles, how to make vehicles more affordable (including battery leasing), and determining who pays for vehicle infrastructure.

(Full disclosure, Matter Network is a media sponsor of RMI:2009, so we encourage attendance.)