May 31, 2012 – GE Capital Fleet Services opened its Vehicle Innovation Center—a facility that provides businesses, industry groups and researchers with a first-hand experience with alternative-fuel vehicles and enabling GE technologies. (Watch the VIDEO below this story.)

Showcasing the latest in an array of alternative-fuel vehicles in electric, natural gas, propane, hydrogen and other formats, the centre gives GE’s commercial customers the opportunity to learn about and test drive numerous alternative-fuel cars and trucks in a single location with assistance from GE’s fleet, transportation, energy and advanced technology experts.

Located on the campus of GE’s fleet management business headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minn., the centre features a private half-mile driving course and a vehicle centre that includes alternative-fuel vehicles from 20 automotive manufacturers. With 6000 sf of classrooms and showrooms, the centre also allows visitors access to a variety of products and solutions from GE’s ecomagination portfolio, including solutions for the smart grid, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, compressed natural gas (CNG) in a box, fuel savings mobile applications, and other advanced energy and infrastructure technologies.

“We believe that businesses—through their company fleets—can lead the way in putting drivers across the country and around the world into cleaner, more productive vehicles,” said Deb Frodl, chief strategy officer for GE Capital Fleet Services and global alternative-fuel leader for GE. “The best way to accelerate adoption of alternative fuel cars and trucks is to experience them. Once they get behind the wheel, they can see that these vehicles are real and ready for action.”