Technology titan GE is set to purchase 25,000 electric vehicles over the next five years for its own fleet, as well as for customers in its fleet management business.

The company will procure an initial 12,000 electric vehicles from General Motors (GM), including its highly anticipated Chevrolet Volt 2011. The remaining EVs will be sourced from a variety of other manufacturers as more models are produced.

Of its existing 30,000-strong fleet, about half will be converted to EVs.

“Electric vehicle technology is real and ready for deployment and we are embracing the transformation with partners like GM and our fleet customers,” said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. “By electrifying our own fleet, we will accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.”

GE Capital alone has over 65,000 global fleet customers. To promote EV use, the company will be launching two learning centers in Michigan and Minnesota, with plans for more to be announced in 2011.

GE expects the move to gain recognition for its electricity products, such as Watt Station, a plug-in charging station that can be deployed in homes and public areas. The company estimates the electric vehicle market to be worth $500 million in the three years.

GE’s decision to use the Volt as its initial EV gave a much-needed boost to General Motors, hit hard by the recession.

“GE’s commitment reflects confidence that electric vehicles are a real-world technology that can reduce both emissions and our dependence on oil,” GM CEO Dan Akerson said. “It is also a vote of confidence in the Chevrolet Volt, which we will begin delivering to retail customers by the end of this year.”