The Ford Motor Co. has supplied 20 experimental vehicles to Southern California Edison in a bid to hasten the practical availability of plug-in hybrids to the public.

The SUVs are plug-in versions of the Ford Escape, which will be tested extensively by the utility before being turned over to the public for "real life" driving beginning in 2009.

The plug-in Escapes were delivered to Southern California Edison by Ford senior vice president for Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering Sue Cischke and Director of Sustainable Mobility Nancy Gioia as part of the four-day Electric Vehicle Symposium.

Powered by lithium ion batteries, the Escapes can travel 30 miles solely on electricity. The range assumes a full charge, normal weather and load conditions, and speeds not to exceed 45 mph (stop-and-go, city driving.)

A full charge requires between six and eight hours on household current. When the battery has been drained, the Escapes act as normal hybrids. If the entire 30 miles of electricity is used, the vehicles achieve 120 miles per gallon.

Southern California Edison will use the SUVs at an evaluation center in Pomona, California and will then place them in the hands of customers for further testing.

Ed Kjaer, director of electrical transportation for the utility said, "The utility industry and the car industry are sharing the same customer. We've got be sure we do this right."