The EDTA Hall of Fame was established by EDTA in November 2003 to honor the electric drive industry’s truest pioneers of bringing electric drive technology to where it is today. Inductees are chosen by the EDTA Board of Directors for their legacy and leadership in the movement to commercialize electric vehicles. The award is typically presented at an EDTA General Membership Meeting.

Ray Geddes was widely known and revered for his efforts to build a sustainable, global market for battery and hybrid vehicles of every size and shape, and for every application. Mr. Geddes left behind an important legacy through his years at Ford Motor Company, which he joined in 1961. Mr. Geddes joined UQM Technologies in 1982 as CEO. He then formed his own company, General Energy Technologies International, and served on the Board of Azure Dynamics. He served on the EDTA Board of Directors from its inception in 1989, and served as treasurer of the organization for nearly a decade. In addition, Mr. Geddes was instrumental in the growth and expanding reputation of the EVS international conference series.

Dave Hermance worked at Toyota Technical Center for 15 years in the powertrain and advanced technologies division. Dave was highly respected as a leading expert on hybrid technology systems, with the unique ability to explain complex engineering systems to non-technical audiences in a manner that was easily understandable. Within the industry, he was widely recognized as the most authoritative voice on hybrid power vehicles in the U.S. Hermance was instrumental in making hybrid technology appealing to mainstream consumers, in addition to environmentally aware car buyers. Hermance dedicated his life to championing advanced technology vehicles and will be remembered fondly for his contributions to Toyota, General Motors, and the environment.

Mr. Stempel spent his long and distinguished career in the auto industry and peripheral industries tirelessly promoting sustainable transportation. From 1990 until his retirement in 1992, Mr. Stempel was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Corporation. Mr. Stempel was Chairman of the Board of Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) and prior to his retirement on August 31, 2007 he was Chief Executive Officer of ECD. Though he witnessed, and helped develop, incredible innovations in electric drive technologies, he was ever-insistent that there was more work to be done. Until his passing in May 2011, he was long serving member of the EDTA Board of Directors, and his leadership helped to steer the Association through numerous initiatives and governance changes. His contributions to the Association and the industry are far-reaching and remain a testament to his life’s work.

Senator Dorgan is one of the original proponents of electric drive. As chair of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee and a senior member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Dorgan has worked to establish comprehensive and sustainable energy policies that address both supply and demand issues. Senator Dorgan has supported the advancement of electric drive in all of its forms. He was the leading sponsor of the hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle development and deployment programs included in the 2005 energy bill, has been a tireless advocate for the deployment of low speed electric vehicles, and is pursuing additional incentives for US companies to build, and consumers to buy, more advanced vehicles in the National Energy Security Act of 2009.

Jon Bereisa’s career in electric drive started in the early 1970's. He has left his mark on every major electric drive development to date – from the space program to the architecture of the current Chevy VOLT propulsion system. He is best known as the Chief Engineer of the EV1 (propulsion system) and for his work on the GM Fuel Cell program. Jon was one of the early members of the precursor associations that led to EDTA. He is still advancing electric drive today, as a consultant to the industry. Jon spent over 30 years at General Motors developing the components, software and integrating advanced propulsion systems into automobiles that were delivered to the market. The EV1 was Jon's individual crowning achievement. He is a founding member of United States Advanced Battery Consortium, and is known to his peers in the industry, to environmental leaders, and to us, as as one of the industry's giants.

Ed Kjaer is Director of Plug In Vehicle Readiness at Southern California Edison. He is a visionary and a fierce advocate for the electrification of transportation. He has a unique experience, having worked both in the automotive industry — on the launch of Acura and then with Mazda — and in the utility sector. First with Edison EV, he was responsible for the initial deployment of EV charging infrastructure back in the 1990's and then with Southern California Edison. Ed Kjaer has supported the development of advanced energy storage technologies and the integration of sustainable transportation solutions into the smart grid. He is leading the way to prepare Southern California’s grid for the influx of EVs, educating consumers, businesses, and policy makers with unmatched knowledge and enthusiasm. Mr. Kjaer is a long-time Board member of EDTA.

Senator Hatch is a champion for advanced transportation and is actively working to ensure that America uses its technological know-how to break our dependence on foreign oil. Senator Hatch has consistently demonstrated his commitment to securing America’s energy independence and a sustainable future. Senator Hatch was a leading advocate for clean transportation initiatives in the landmark 2005 Carbon Limits and Energy for American Renewal (CLEAR) Act which establish an incentive for hybrid vehicles. In 2008, he expanded the effort in the FREEDOM Act, to establish the current tax incentive for consumers to purchase plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles.