Document Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Entity Registrant Name	DTE ELECTRIC CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000028385
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	138,632,324