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The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

DTE Electric Company is offering $ of its 2020 Series A % General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds due 2030 and $ of its 2020 Series B % General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds due 2050. We will pay interest on the Series A Bonds on and of each year, beginning , 2020 and we will pay interest on the Series B Bonds on and of each year, beginning , 2020. The Series A Bonds will mature on , 2030. The Series B Bonds will mature on , 2050.

We may redeem the mortgage bonds at our option, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus supplement. There is no sinking fund for the mortgage bonds.

The mortgage bonds will rank on a parity with all other mortgage bonds outstanding under our mortgage as described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Investment in the mortgage bonds involves risks. You should read carefully the entire prospectus and this prospectus supplement, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” that begins on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, which describes some of these risks.

Interest on the mortgage bonds will accrue from the date of original issuance. Purchasers of the mortgage bonds must pay the accrued interest if settlement occurs after that date.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We do not intend to apply for a listing of the mortgage bonds on any securities exchange or automated quotation system.

Delivery of the mortgage bonds, in book-entry form only, will be made on or about February , 2020.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free-writing prospectus that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, contain and incorporate by reference information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these mortgage bonds in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of its date. DTE Electric’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such date. To the extent that the information in the prospectus supplement differs from the information in the prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

References in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “us,” “our,” “DTE Electric” or the “Company” refer to DTE Electric Company, unless the context indicates that the references are to DTE Electric Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our parent company, DTE Energy Company maintains a website at http://www.dteenergy.com, that contains information about us. The information on such website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and you should not consider it part of this prospectus supplement.

Additionally, any reports filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act,” on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the completion of this offering will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and will automatically update, where applicable, and supersede any information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Each of these documents is available from the SEC’s website described above. We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of that person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated in this prospectus or in any related prospectus supplement by reference, excluding the exhibits to those documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference therein. You may make such a request by writing or telephoning DTE Electric Investor Relations at:

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of DTE Electric. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement, the date of the accompanying prospectus or the date of any document incorporated by reference.

These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ from those expected due to a number of variables as described in our public filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights important information about DTE Electric Company and this offering. It does not contain all the information that is important to you in connection with your decision to invest in the mortgage bonds. We encourage you to read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in their entirety as well as the information we incorporate by reference before making an investment decision.

DTE Electric Company

DTE Electric Company, formerly known as The Detroit Edison Company, is a Michigan public utility engaged in the generation, purchase, distribution and sale of electric energy to approximately 2.2 million customers in southeastern Michigan. DTE Electric is subject to regulation by various government agencies, including the Michigan Public Service Commission (“MPSC”) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). DTE Electric is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DTE Energy Company, which we refer to as DTE Energy. DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.

The mailing address of DTE Electric’s principal executive offices is One Energy Plaza, Detroit, Michigan, 48226-1279, and its telephone number is (313) 235-4000.

The Offering

For a more complete description of the terms of the mortgage bonds, see “Description of Mortgage Bonds.”

The Issuer

DTE Electric Company.

Offered Bonds

$ aggregate principal amount of 2020 Series A % General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds due 2030 (the “Series A Bonds”).

$ aggregate principal amount of 2020 Series B % General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds due 2050 (the “Series B Bonds”).

We sometimes refer to the Series A Bonds and the Series B Bonds collectively as the “mortgage bonds”) in this prospectus supplement.

Maturity

The Series A Bonds will mature on , 2030. The Series B Bonds will mature on , 2050.

Interest Payment Dates

We will pay interest on the Series A Bonds in arrears on and of each year, beginning , 2020.

We will pay interest on the Series B Bonds in arrears on and of each year, beginning , 2020.

Optional Redemption

The mortgage bonds may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement. See “Description of Mortgage Bonds — Optional Redemption.”

Security

Each of the Series A Bonds and the Series B Bonds will be issued as a series of mortgage bonds under our mortgage and will be secured as described under “Description of Debt Securities — Provisions

Applicable to General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds — Security and Priority” in the accompanying prospectus. The mortgage bonds will rank on parity with all other mortgage bonds outstanding under our mortgage. As of December 31, 2019, we had $7.24 billion aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds issued and outstanding under the mortgage.

Use of Proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the mortgage bonds will be approximately $ million. We will use the proceeds of this offering for the repayment of $300 million of the Company’s 2010 Series A 4.89% Senior Notes due 2020, for the repayment of short-term borrowings, which have an average interest rate of approximately 1.7% and maturities under 30 days, for capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes.

Risk Factors

Your investment in the mortgage bonds will involve risks. You should carefully consider the discussion of risks in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and the other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein or therein, including “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page S-2 of this prospectus supplement, before deciding whether an investment in the mortgage bonds is suitable for you.

Conflict of Interest

Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold a portion of indebtedness that we could repay using the net proceeds of this offering. In such event, it is possible that one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates could receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of the offering, and in that case such underwriter would be deemed to have a conflict of interest under FINRA Rule 5121 (Public Offerings of Securities with Conflicts of Interest). In the event of any such conflict of interest, such underwriter would be required to conduct the distribution of the mortgage bonds in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. If the distribution is conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, such underwriter would not be permitted to confirm a sale to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without first receiving specific written approval from the account holder. See “Underwriting — Conflict of Interest” herein.

In considering whether to invest in the mortgage bonds, you should carefully consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In particular, you should consider the risk factors described in our periodic reports filed with the SEC, including those set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I and “Forward-Looking Statements” preceding Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, as well as the additional risk described below. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or those currently viewed by us to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect us.

There is no existing market for the mortgage bonds and we cannot assure that such a market will develop.

There is no existing market for the mortgage bonds, and we do not intend to apply for listing of the mortgage bonds on any securities exchange. We cannot assure that an active trading market for the mortgage bonds will develop. There can be no assurances as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the mortgage bonds, the ability of bondholders to sell their mortgage bonds or the price at which the bondholders may be able to sell their mortgage bonds. Future trading prices of the mortgage bonds will depend on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, our operating results and the market for similar securities. Generally, the liquidity of, and trading market for, the mortgage bonds may also be materially and adversely affected by declines in the market for similar debt securities. Such a decline may materially and adversely affect such liquidity and trading independent of our financial performance and prospects.

The following summary sets forth the specific terms and provisions of the mortgage bonds. This description supplements, and, to the extent inconsistent, replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of the mortgage bonds set forth in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities — General,” “— Provisions Applicable to All Debt Securities” and “— Provisions Applicable to General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds.” The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the mortgage bonds and the mortgage, which are incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this section, or in the accompanying prospectus, have the meanings given to them in the mortgage bonds and in the mortgage.

Each of the Series A Bonds and the Series B Bonds will be issued as a series of general and refunding mortgage bonds, or mortgage bonds, under our mortgage, as described in the accompanying prospectus. The mortgage bonds of each series will be secured, subject to certain exceptions and exclusions, by a first mortgage lien on certain property owned by DTE Electric and will rank on parity with all other mortgage bonds of DTE Electric. See “Description of Debt Securities — Provisions Applicable to General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds — Security and Priority” in the accompanying prospectus. The Series A Bonds will be limited in aggregate principal amount initially to $ , and the Series B Bonds will be limited in aggregate principal amount initially to $ . We may, without the consent of the holders, reopen either series of mortgage bonds to increase such principal amounts in the future, on the same terms and conditions (except for the issue date, price to public and, in some circumstances, the initial interest payment date) and with the same CUSIP number as the corresponding mortgage bonds being offered hereby, subject to compliance with the limitations on the issuance contained in the mortgage (see “Description of Debt Securities — Provisions Applicable to General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds — Issuances of Additional Mortgage Bonds” in the accompanying prospectus), provided that if any such additional mortgage bonds are not fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the applicable mortgage bonds of such series offered hereby, such additional mortgage bonds will be issued under a separate CUSIP number. The mortgage bonds will be issued only in fully-registered form in denominations of $2,000 and any larger amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000. Settlement and secondary trading in the mortgage bonds will be in same-day funds.

At December 31, 2019, we had $7.24 billion aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds issued and outstanding under the mortgage. In addition, at December 31, 2019, DTE Electric could have issued approximately $5.0 billion of mortgage bonds on the basis of property additions, assuming an interest rate of 5% for purposes of the earnings test, and approximately $0.03 billion of mortgage bonds on the basis of mortgage bond retirements. See “Description of Debt Securities — Provisions Applicable to General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds — Issuance of Additional Mortgage Bonds” in the accompanying prospectus. The Company currently intends to issue the mortgage bonds on the basis of property additions.

The mortgage bonds will trade through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The mortgage bonds will be represented by one or more global certificates and will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as DTC’s nominee. DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the mortgage bonds at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under those circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, securities certificates will be printed and delivered to the holders of record. Additionally, we may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary) with respect to the mortgage bonds. Upon receipt of a withdrawal request from us, DTC will notify its participants of the receipt of a withdrawal request from us reminding participants that they may utilize DTC’s withdrawal procedures if they wish to withdraw their securities from DTC, and DTC will process withdrawal requests submitted by participants in the ordinary course of business. To the extent that the book-entry system is discontinued, certificates for the mortgage bonds will be printed and delivered to the holders of record. Neither we nor the mortgage trustee will have responsibility for the performance by DTC or its direct and

indirect participants of their respective obligations as described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations. Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest will be made to DTC in immediately available funds as described in the accompanying prospectus. See “Book-Entry Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

The mortgage bonds of each series will bear interest at the respective rates set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement from the date of original issuance, or the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for. We will pay interest in arrears on the Series A Bonds on and of each year, beginning , 2020. We will pay interest in arrears on the Series B Bonds on and of each year, beginning , 2020. Interest will be paid to the person in whose name the applicable mortgage bond is registered at the close of business on the date (whether or not such day is a business day) fifteen calendar days immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date. The amount of interest payable will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

The entire principal amount of the Series A Bonds will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on , 2030. The entire principal amount of the Series B Bonds will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on , 2050. The mortgage bonds of each series are redeemable at the option of DTE Electric as described below under “— Optional Redemption.” The mortgage bonds are not subject to any sinking fund provision.

“Business day” means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in the state of New York or the state of Michigan are authorized or obligated pursuant to law or executive order to close. In the event that any interest payment date, redemption date or maturity date is not a business day, then the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay).

The Series A Bonds may be redeemed at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time. At any time prior to the Series A Par Call Date (as defined below), the optional redemption price will be equal to the greater of:

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. At any time on or after the Series A Par Call Date, the optional redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Series A Bonds being redeemed on the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Series A Bonds that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to the Series A Bonds and the mortgage. The redemption price will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

The Series B Bonds may be redeemed at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time. At any time prior to the Series B Par Call Date (as defined below), the optional redemption price will be equal to the greater of:

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. At any time on or after the Series B Par Call Date, the optional redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Series B Bonds being redeemed on the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Series B Bonds that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to the Series B Bonds and the mortgage. The redemption price will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

If notice has been given as provided in the mortgage and funds for the redemption of any mortgage bonds called for redemption have been made available on the redemption date, such mortgage bonds will cease to bear interest on the date fixed for redemption. Thereafter, the only right of the holders of such mortgage bonds will be to receive payment of the redemption price.

Notice of any optional redemption will be given to holders at their addresses, as shown in the security register for such mortgage bonds, not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. The notice of redemption will specify, among other items, the redemption price and the principal amount of the mortgage bonds held by such holder to be redeemed.

We will notify the mortgage trustee at least 60 days prior to giving notice of redemption (or such shorter period as is satisfactory to the mortgage trustee) of the aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds to be redeemed and their redemption date. If less than all of the mortgage bonds are to be redeemed, the mortgage bonds to be redeemed will be selected by lot or in accordance with the procedures of DTC.

“Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any optional redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue (as defined below), calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price (as defined below) for such redemption date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the mortgage bonds to be redeemed (assuming, for this purpose, that such mortgage bonds mature on their respective Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of such comparable maturity.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any optional redemption date:

“Par Call Date” means the Series A Par Call Date with respect to the Series A Bonds and the Series B Par Call Date with respect to the Series B Bonds.

“Quotation Agent” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by us.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any optional redemption date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the successor trustee under the mortgage. Affiliates of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. act as lender for, and provide other banking, investment banking and other financial services to, DTE Electric and its affiliates. The Trust Indenture Act contains limitations on the rights of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., in its capacity as mortgage trustee, should it become a creditor of DTE Electric, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The mortgage trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with DTE Electric and its subsidiaries from time to time, provided that if the mortgage trustee acquires any conflicting interests, it must eliminate such conflicts upon the occurrence of an event of default under the mortgage, or else resign.

The following section discusses certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of a mortgage bond. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative positions of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) or to different interpretations.

We have not sought a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of a mortgage bond. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge one or more of the conclusions described in this prospectus supplement.

This discussion does not describe all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences (such as the potential application of the Medicare contribution tax, alternative minimum tax consequences, if any, or consequences

under any particular tax treaty) that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of the holder’s circumstances. This discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to investors subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws, such as dealers in securities or foreign currency, traders who elect to mark the mortgage bonds to market, partnerships, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or other pass-through entities, tax-exempt entities, banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, brokers, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” persons holding a mortgage bond as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction, persons subject to special rules applicable to former citizens and residents of the United States, persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the mortgage bonds being taken into account in an applicable financial statement or U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar or who hold mortgage bonds through a non-U.S. broker or other non-U.S. intermediary.

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of a mortgage bond that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (i) a citizen or resident (as defined in Section 7701(b) of the Code) of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation) created or organized in the United States or a political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of source or (iv) a trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or certain trusts which have a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person; and, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner (other than a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of a mortgage bond other than a U.S. Holder.

This discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or foreign law, or U.S. federal gift, generation-skipping or U.S. federal estate tax law. In addition, this discussion is limited to a holder of a mortgage bond who purchases a mortgage bond on original issuance at its “issue price” (the first price at which a substantial portion of the mortgage bonds is sold for cash to persons other than bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers). It is expected, and therefore this discussion assumes, that the mortgage bonds will be issued with less than a de minimis amount of original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion is limited to a holder of a mortgage bond that will hold the mortgage bond as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our mortgage bonds, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our mortgage bonds and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors.

Prospective purchasers of the mortgage bonds are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the mortgage bonds.

As described in “Description of the Mortgage Bonds – Optional Redemption,” the mortgage bonds may be redeemed at our option at any time, at a price that could exceed the total payments on such bonds absent such redemption. We intend to treat the possibility that we would redeem the mortgage bonds at such higher price as not resulting in the mortgage bonds being treated as contingent payment debt instruments because we view such possibility as remote under the applicable Treasury Regulations. Our position is binding on all holders unless such holder discloses its contrary position in the manner prescribed by applicable Treasury Regulations. However, our position is not binding on the IRS. If the IRS were to take a contrary position, the timing and character of a holder’s income and the timing of our deductions with respect to the mortgage bonds could be

affected. Holders of the mortgage bonds should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences bonds being treated as contingent payment debt obligations. The remainder of this discussion assumes the bonds are not treated as contingent payment debt obligations.

Generally, payments of stated interest on a mortgage bond will be includible in a U.S. Holder’s gross income and taxable as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time such interest is received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of tax accounting.

Sale, Exchange, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of the Mortgage Bonds

Upon a sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a mortgage bond, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount realized, or the proceeds of such sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition (less an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as interest income to the extent not previously included in income), and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the mortgage bond. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in a mortgage bond generally will be the amount paid for such bond. The gain or loss recognized generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long term capital gain or loss if the mortgage bond is held for more than one year. Long term capital gains of certain non-corporate U.S. Holders are subject to tax at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

In general, information reporting requirements may apply to payments on a mortgage bond and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the mortgage bond, unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient and, if requested, establishes its status as an exempt recipient. Additionally, backup withholding, currently at a current rate of 24%, may apply to such payments if a U.S. Holder (i) fails to provide a taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) certified under penalties of perjury, (ii) furnishes an incorrect TIN, (iii) fails to properly report the receipt of interest or dividends or (iv) fails to certify that the holder is not subject to backup withholding. A U.S. Holder who does not provide us with its correct TIN also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Subject to the discussion below under “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “FATCA,” payments of interest on the mortgage bonds to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax under the “portfolio interest rule,” provided that:

For purposes of the discussion below, interest and gain on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the mortgage bonds will be considered to be “U.S. trade or business income” if such income or gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment within the United States).

Interest that is U.S. trade or business income generally will be taxed at regular graduated U.S. rates applicable to U.S. persons rather than the 30% withholding rate. In the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation, such U.S. trade or business income also may be subject to a branch profits tax of 30% (subject to reduction or elimination under an applicable income tax treaty).

To claim an exemption from withholding based on interest on the mortgage bonds being U.S. trade or business income, the Non-U.S. Holder must provide us with appropriate documentation (typically ,a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form).

The gross amount of payments of interest that do not qualify for the portfolio interest exemption and that are not U.S. trade or business income”) generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% unless a treaty applies to reduce or eliminate withholding. To claim to claim the benefits of a treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder must provide a properly executed Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form).

A Non-U.S. Holder claiming the benefits of a treaty may be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and to provide certain documentary evidence issued by foreign governmental authorities to prove residence in the foreign country. Also, under the Treasury regulations, special procedures are provided for payments through qualified intermediaries.

Sale, Exchange, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of the Mortgage Bonds

Subject to the discussion below under “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “FATCA,” a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of the mortgage bonds (other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest) unless:

Information returns will be filed annually with the IRS in connection with payments we make on the mortgage bonds. Copies of these information returns also may be made available under the provisions of a specific tax treaty or other agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides. Unless the Non-U.S. Holder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a U.S. person, information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with the proceeds from a sale or other taxable disposition of a mortgage bond, and the Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding tax (currently at a rate of 24%) on payments on the mortgage bonds or on the proceeds from a sale or other taxable disposition of

the mortgage bonds. The certification procedures required to claim the exemption from withholding tax on interest described above generally will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid the backup withholding tax as well.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be refunded or credited against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, if the holder timely provides the required information to the IRS.

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% on certain payments on obligations that produce U.S. source income to certain foreign entities, including interest payments on the mortgage bonds. Under current provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations that govern FATCA, gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of obligations that can produce U.S.-source interest, such as the mortgage bonds, are subject to FATCA withholding on or after January 1, 2019. However, under recently released proposed Treasury regulations, such gross proceeds are not subject to FATCA withholding. In its preamble to such proposed Treasury regulations, the IRS has stated that taxpayers generally may rely on the proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued.

In the case of payments made to a foreign financial institution (“FFI”), whether as a beneficial owner or intermediary, the tax generally will be imposed, subject to certain exceptions, unless such institution enters into and complies with an agreement with the IRS to, among other things, collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities certain information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which would include certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners), or qualifies for an exemption from these rules. In the case of payments made to a foreign entity that is not a FFI, the tax generally will be imposed, subject to certain exceptions, unless such foreign entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owner (generally, any specified U.S. person that directly or indirectly owns more than 10% of such entity) or that identifies its substantial U.S. owners or qualifies for an exemption from these rules and provides documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN-E). We will not pay additional amounts with respect to any amounts required to be withheld under FATCA. Investors are encouraged to consult their tax advisor regarding the implications of FATCA to their particular circumstances.

THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER’S PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE MORTGAGE BONDS, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN U.S. FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement with respect to the mortgage bonds, each of the underwriters named below, for whom J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. and TD Securities (USA) LLC are acting as representatives, has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, the following principal amount of mortgage bonds:

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriters to purchase the mortgage bonds included in this offering is subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all the mortgage bonds if they purchase any of the mortgage bonds. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering of the mortgage bonds may be terminated. The offering of the mortgage bonds by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

The underwriters propose to offer the mortgage bonds initially at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and may offer the mortgage bonds to certain broker-dealers at that price less a selling concession of % of the principal amount per Series A Bond and % of the principal amount per Series B Bond. The underwriters and certain broker-dealers may allow a discount of % of the principal amount per Series A Bond and % of the principal amount per Series B Bond on sales to other broker-dealers. After the initial offering of the mortgage bonds to the public, the public offering price and such commissions and concessions may be changed by the underwriters.

We estimate that our total out-of-pocket expenses for this offering (excluding the underwriting discount) will be approximately $ .

The mortgage bonds will have no established trading market. The mortgage bonds will not be listed on a securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system. One or more of the underwriters intends to make a secondary market for the mortgage bonds. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a secondary market for the mortgage bonds at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to how liquid the trading market for the mortgage bonds will be.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the mortgage bonds or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the mortgage bonds. As a result the price of the mortgage bonds may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

It is expected that delivery of the mortgage bonds will be made on or about the date specified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the tenth business day (T+10) following the date of this prospectus supplement. Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle within two succeeding business days (T+2), unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, the purchasers who wish to trade the mortgage bonds on the date of this prospectus supplement or the next seven succeeding business days will be required to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the mortgage bonds who wish to trade the mortgage bonds on the date of this prospectus supplement or the next seven succeeding business days should consult their own advisors.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in that respect.

The underwriters and/or their affiliates may have acted as lenders, and performed certain investment banking and advisory and general financing, trustee and commercial banking services for us and our affiliates from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. The underwriters and/or their affiliates may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge, and certain other of these underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. A typical hedging strategy would include these underwriters or their affiliates hedging such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the bonds offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the bonds offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold a portion of indebtedness that we may repay using the net proceeds of this offering. In such event, it is possible that one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates could receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of the offering, and in that case such underwriter would be deemed to have a conflict of interest under FINRA Rule 5121 (Public Offerings of Securities with Conflicts of Interest). In the event of any such conflict of interest, such underwriter would be required to conduct the distribution of the mortgage bonds in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. If the distribution is conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, such underwriter would not be permitted to confirm a sale to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without first receiving specific written approval from the account holder.

This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy from, anyone in any country or jurisdiction (i) in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized, (ii) in which any person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or (iii) in which any such offer or solicitation would otherwise be unlawful. No action has been taken that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the mortgage bonds or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any other offering or publicity material relating to the mortgage bonds in any country or jurisdiction (other than the United States) where any such action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, each underwriter has undertaken that it will not, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any mortgage bonds or have in its possession, distribute or publish any prospectus, form of application, advertisement or other document or information in any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will, to the best of its knowledge and belief, result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and all offers and sales of mortgage bonds by it will be made on the same terms.

The underwriters have represented, warranted and agreed that they have not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any mortgage bonds to any retail investor in the European Economic Area or in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of this provision:

Consequently, no key information documents required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the mortgage bonds or otherwise making them available to retain investors in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the mortgage bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of mortgage bonds in any Member State of the European Economic Area or in the United Kingdom will be made

pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of mortgage bonds. This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

The communication of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the bonds offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of the FSMA. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the FSMA (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”)), or who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or who are any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). In the United Kingdom, the bonds offered hereby are only available to, and any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus relates will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus or any of their contents.

The mortgage bonds may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the mortgage bonds must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

This document relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Markets Rules 2012 of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the “DFSA”). This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Markets Rules 2012 of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this document. The securities to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

In relation to its use in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”), this document is strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. The interests in the securities to which this document relates may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly to the public in the DIFC.

The contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. The bonds may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong) (the “CO”), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the CO, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the bonds may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to bonds which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

The bonds have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the “FIEL”), and the bonds will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to any exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the bonds may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the bonds be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the bonds are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the bonds under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the bonds are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

The bonds have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Investments Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FSCMA”). None of the bonds may be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the FSCMA and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FETL”). For a period of one year from the issue date of the bonds, any acquirer of the bonds who was solicited to buy the bonds in Korea is prohibited from transferring any of the bonds to another person in any way other than as a whole to one transferee. Furthermore, the purchaser of the bonds shall comply with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to requirements under the FETL) in connection with the purchase of the bonds.

This prospectus supplement does not constitute an issue prospectus pursuant to Article 652a or Article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations and the bonds will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Therefore, this prospectus supplement may not comply with the disclosure standards of the listing rules (including any additional listing rules or prospectus schemes) of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Accordingly, the bonds may not be offered to the public in or from Switzerland, but only to a selected and limited circle of investors who do not subscribe to the bonds with a view to distribution. Any such investors will be individually approached by the underwriters from time to time.

The bonds have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the DFSA.

The validity of the mortgage bonds and certain other legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for DTE Electric by Randall Rutkofske, General Counsel. Mr. Rutkofske beneficially owns shares of DTE Energy common stock. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Bracewell LLP. Bracewell LLP has represented, and may in the future continue to represent, us in certain limited federal electric regulatory matters, and certain of our affiliates in matters relating to the development of gas pipeline and storage infrastructure, and a landfill gas project, in each case unrelated to this offering.

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

We will provide specific terms of the securities, including the offering prices, in supplements to this prospectus. The supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of any of these securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.

We may offer these securities directly or through underwriters, agents or dealers. The supplements to this prospectus will describe the terms of any particular plan of distribution, including any underwriting arrangements. See the “Plan of Distribution” section beginning on page 20 of this prospectus for more information.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 regarding risks associated with an investment in these securities.

The mailing address of DTE Electric Company’s principal executive offices is One Energy Plaza, Detroit, Michigan 48226-1279, and its telephone number is (313) 235-4000.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated in this prospectus is accurate as of any time after the date of this prospectus, or if later, the date of an incorporated document, because our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction that prohibits the offer or sale of these securities.

In this prospectus, references to “DTE Electric,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to DTE Electric Company, unless the context indicates that the references are to DTE Electric Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that DTE Electric filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, DTE Electric may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities DTE Electric may offer. Each time DTE Electric sells securities, DTE Electric will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

For more detailed information about the securities, you can read the exhibits to the registration statement. Those exhibits have been either filed with the registration statement or incorporated by reference to earlier SEC filings listed in the registration statement.

An investment in the securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the “Risk Factors” set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with the other information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, about risks concerning the securities, before buying any securities. See also “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below.

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of DTE Electric. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “projected,” “aspiration,” and “goals” or similar expressions in this prospectus or in documents incorporated herein that signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions, but rather are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual future results to be materially different from those contemplated, projected, estimated, or budgeted. Many factors may impact forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the following:

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of any document incorporated by reference. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

The factors discussed above and other factors are discussed more completely in our public filings with the SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

DTE Electric Company is a Michigan public utility engaged in the generation, purchase, distribution, and sale of electricity to approximately 2.2 million customers in southeastern Michigan. DTE Electric is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DTE Energy Company, which we refer to as DTE Energy. DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.

Except as we may otherwise state in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our debt securities for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

The precise amount and timing of the application of such proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds. Pending the application of proceeds, we may invest the funds temporarily in short-term investment grade securities.

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize certain terms and provisions of the various types of securities that DTE Electric may offer. The particular terms of the securities offered by any prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement. If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms summarized below. The prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

In this prospectus, DTE Electric refers to the senior secured debt securities and unsecured debt securities together as “securities” or the “debt securities.”

The following description, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain material terms and provisions of the debt securities we may offer under this prospectus and the related indenture.

The general and refunding mortgage bonds, which we refer to as the “mortgage bonds,” are to be issued under and secured by the mortgage and deed of trust, dated as of October 1, 1924, between DTE Electric and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee, as amended and supplemented by various supplemental indentures and as to be further amended and supplemented by one or more supplemental indentures creating the mortgage bonds, which we refer to collectively as the “mortgage.” We refer to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., or any successor or additional trustee, in its capacity as trustee under the mortgage, as the “mortgage trustee” for purposes of this section.

We will issue the debt securities, other than general and refunding mortgage bonds, under an indenture, dated as of June 30, 1993, as supplemented, and supplemental indentures creating each applicable series of debt securities, which we refer to collectively as the “indenture,” between DTE Electric and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee. We refer to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., or any successor or additional trustee, in its capacity as trustee under the indenture, as the “indenture trustee” for purposes of this section. Each series of secured debt securities will be secured as to payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, by mortgage bonds.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities we may issue under it, and it provides that additional debt securities of any series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount that we may authorize from time to time. As of December 31, 2018, approximately $1.8 billion aggregate principal amount of debt securities were issued and outstanding under the indenture, of which approximately $92 million were issued in connection with the security arrangements for the insurance applicable to industrial development revenue bonds.

As of December 31, 2018, approximately $6.6 billion aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds were issued and outstanding under the mortgage. Of these mortgage bonds, $1.8 billion aggregate principal amount were issued as security for our debt securities and are subject to the release provisions described below under “— Provisions Applicable to All Debt Securities Other Than Mortgage Bonds — Security; Pledge of Mortgage Bonds — Release Date.”

The following summaries set forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. Because the descriptions of provisions of the indenture and the mortgage below are summaries, they do not describe every aspect of the indenture or the mortgage. The summaries below are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the indenture and the mortgage, including the definitions therein of certain terms. We have filed copies of the indenture and the mortgage as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We encourage you to read the mortgage and indenture for provisions that may be important to you. Wherever particular articles, sections or defined terms of the indenture or mortgage are referred to those articles, sections or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference, and the statement in connection with which such reference is made is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The indenture and the mortgage contain, and the debt securities, when issued, will contain, additional important terms and provisions. We will describe the particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the debt securities so offered in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.

Unless we otherwise specify in this prospectus or in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities in the form of global securities, deposited with and registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as depositary, which we refer to as “DTC,” or its nominee. Interests in the debt securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. See “Book-Entry Securities.”

The prospectus supplement that accompanies this prospectus relating to the debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offered debt securities. These terms will include some or all of the following:

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of any one series at the same time and all the debt securities of any one series need not bear interest at the same rate or mature on the same date.

If we sell any of the debt securities for foreign currencies or foreign currency units or if the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in foreign currencies or foreign currency units, we will describe the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to such issue of debt securities and such currencies or currency units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Other than as described below under “— Provisions Applicable to General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds — Issuance of Additional Mortgage Bonds” with respect to limitations on the issuance of mortgage bonds, neither the mortgage nor the indenture limits our ability to incur indebtedness. In addition, neither the mortgage nor the indenture affords holders of debt securities protection in the event of a decline in our credit quality or if we are involved in a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction. Accordingly, we could in the future enter into transactions that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at that time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit rating. You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities for information regarding any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default described below or covenants contained in the indenture, including any addition of a covenant or other provisions providing event risk or similar protection.

The mortgage bonds, which we may issue directly or which may secure our obligations with respect to a series of secured debt securities, are to be issued under and secured by the mortgage.

The mortgage bonds may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that shall be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC or such other depository as may be specified, and registered in the name of a nominee of the depository. See “Book-Entry Securities.” We will issue the mortgage bonds only in fully registered form in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof or any authorized minimum denomination. Mortgage bonds of any denomination will be exchangeable without charge (except for stamp taxes and other governmental charges) for mortgage bonds of the same series of other authorized denominations.

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, there will be no sinking fund, maintenance and replacement fund, improvement fund or similar provisions with respect to the debt securities.

At December 31, 2018, mortgage bonds of various series, aggregating $310 million in principal amount, were issued as security for various series of outstanding industrial development revenue bonds or as security for the insurance applicable to such revenue bonds. In addition, mortgage bonds of various other series, aggregating $6.3 billion in principal amount, were directly issued or issued as security for various series of DTE Electric’s outstanding notes issued under the indenture. Of the $6.6 billion total outstanding mortgage bonds, $1.8 billion are subject to the release provisions described below under “— Provisions Applicable to All Debt Securities Other Than Mortgage Bonds — Security; Pledge of Mortgage Bonds — Release Date.” Such bonds contain provisions that correspond to the revenue bonds or notes they collateralize in respect of principal amounts, interest rates, maturity dates and redemption. All payments of interest on, and reductions of the principal amounts of, such revenue bonds or notes will be credited as payments to, or will give rise to reductions of principal amounts of, the corresponding bonds issued under the mortgage.

The mortgage is a first lien (subject only to excepted encumbrances as described in the mortgage) on a substantial portion of DTE Electric’s properties and franchises and will (subject to the necessity for particular

filings and recordings in the case of certain personal property) constitute a first lien on any such properties hereafter acquired by DTE Electric, except that (1) after-acquired property will be subject to prior liens and encumbrances, if any, existing when acquired by DTE Electric, (2) the mortgage will not become a lien upon after-acquired real property in a new county until it has been duly filed and recorded, and (3) the mortgage may not be effective as to property acquired subsequent to the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding with respect to DTE Electric. The mortgage is not a lien on (a) equipment, materials or supplies purchased for resale or (b) securities or cash not specifically pledged and deposited with the mortgage trustee.

The mortgage bonds will rank equally as to security with all mortgage bonds of all other series outstanding under the mortgage except insofar as any sinking, improvement or analogous fund may be deemed to afford additional security for the mortgage bonds of any series and except that, as provided in Section 3 of Article VI of the mortgage, the mortgage trustee may, when in possession during a default, apply any residue of collections to payment of principal of such mortgage bonds as are then due if all of the mortgage bonds have not become due.

DTE Electric has good and marketable title to all properties standing of record in its name (which include all of those properties on which its principal plants, generating stations and substations are erected and on which its general office and service buildings are constructed and all other important parcels of real estate and improvements thereon, other than pollution control facilities standing in the names of certain municipalities that are being sold to DTE Electric pursuant to installment sales contracts and the undivided ownership interest of the Michigan Public Power Agency in a portion of the Belle River Power Plant), subject to the lien of the mortgage and subject to minor exceptions, defects, irregularities and deficiencies that, in the opinion of DTE Electric, do not materially impair the use of such property for its purposes, and has adequate rights to maintain and operate such of its distribution facilities as are located on public or other property.

Property additions include property, real and personal, used in the business of generating, transmitting or distributing electricity or gas, or power or heat by means of steam or hot water, and, with certain exceptions, located in the State of Michigan. Property additions do not include property acquired or constructed to keep the mortgaged property in working order or merely to replace obsolete or worn out property, except for the excess over the original cost of the original property. (Article I, Section 4; Article III, Section 4)

Bonds may not be issued on the basis of property additions or deposited cash unless earnings of DTE Electric (after all operating expenses including all taxes, but excluding depreciation and interest charges) available for interest and reserves, including depreciation, for any consecutive twelve-month period within the immediately preceding fifteen months shall have been at least one and three-quarters times the annual interest charges on all mortgage bonds then outstanding under the mortgage, all mortgage bonds then applied for, all prior lien bonds if there are any outstanding and any other indebtedness secured by a lien superior to the mortgage on any portion of the mortgaged property.

At December 31, 2018, we could have issued approximately $5.4 billion of mortgage bonds on the basis of property additions, assuming an interest rate of 5% for purposes of the earnings test, and approximately $32 million of mortgage bonds on the basis of mortgage bond retirements.

Cash deposited with the mortgage trustee as the basis for the issuance of additional mortgage bonds may be withdrawn by DTE Electric up to an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds that DTE Electric has become entitled to have authenticated and delivered on the basis of property additions, or equal to the aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds theretofore authenticated and delivered under the mortgage which are delivered to the mortgage trustee for cancellation. (Article III, Section 7)

DTE Electric may, in the ordinary course of business, use and consume materials and equipment and may alter, repair, replace, change location or position of and add to plants, buildings, machinery and other fixtures without notice to the mortgage bondholders. Leases and contracts may be entered into, terminated or altered, and materials, equipment and supplies may be sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of, free from the lien of the mortgage, all in the ordinary course of business. (Article X, Sections 1 and 2) DTE Electric may also surrender or modify its franchises or sell or exchange any other part of its property upon compliance with the mortgage requirements, including, without limitation, the delivery to the mortgage trustee of cash in an amount or retired bonds in a principal amount, and/or the certification to the mortgage trustee of property additions having a fair value, equal in the aggregate to the fair value of the property to be released. (Article X, Sections 3 and 4; Article XA, Section 2) The mortgage trustee is required to report annually to the mortgage bondholders with respect to any release, or release and substitution of property. (Article XII, Section 7)

Cash deposited with the mortgage trustee in connection with the release of property may, among other things, be paid over to DTE Electric in an amount equal to the amount of property additions, on the principal amount of retired bonds, certified for this purpose.

DTE Electric may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, consolidate or merge with or into, or convey or lease substantially all the properties subject to the mortgage as an entirety to, any corporation lawfully entitled to acquire and operate the same, or may permit any such corporation to consolidate or merge with or into DTE Electric, or convey, transfer or lease substantially all the properties subject to the mortgage as an entirety to DTE Electric, provided that any successor corporation assumes DTE Electric’s obligations on the mortgage bonds and under the mortgage; provided, however, that no such consolidation, merger, conveyance, or lease shall impair the lien and security of the mortgage or any of the rights and powers of the mortgage trustee or the bondholders thereunder, and provided that any such lease shall be made expressly subject to immediate termination by DTE Electric or by the mortgage trustee at any time upon the happening of an event of default, and that certain other conditions are met. (Article XIV)

DTE Electric and the mortgage trustee may modify the mortgage and the rights and obligations of DTE Electric and of the mortgage bondholders with the consent of DTE Electric and of the holders of 85% of the principal amount of mortgage bonds outstanding; provided that no such modification may permit any change in the terms of payment of principal or interest of any bond without the consent of the holder thereof, nor permit the creation of any lien ranking prior to or on parity with the lien of the mortgage with respect to any property mortgaged thereunder, nor reduce the percentage of mortgage bondholders necessary to consent to such modification. (Article XV)

The mortgage also provides that DTE Electric and the mortgage trustee may enter into supplemental indentures, without the consent of the bondholders, for the purposes of:

The mortgage also provides that any supplemental indenture shall, insofar as may be required by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as then in effect, comply with the provisions of that Act. (Article XVI)

If an event of default under the mortgage occurs and is continuing, the mortgage trustee may, and the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding mortgage bonds may, and upon the request of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of outstanding mortgage bonds the mortgage trustee will, by notice as provided in the mortgage, declare the principal of all outstanding mortgage bonds, together with accrued interest thereon, to be immediately due and payable. If, at any time after any such declaration of acceleration, and before any sale of the trust estate has been made, all arrears of interest have been paid and all other defaults, if any, have been remedied or secured, then the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding mortgage bonds may, by notice as provided in the mortgage, waive such default and its consequences and rescind such declaration, but no such waiver will extend to any subsequent default. (Article VI, Section 2)

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding mortgage bonds have the right to direct the method and place of conducting all proceedings for the sale of the trust estate, foreclosure or appointment of a receiver or other proceedings under the mortgage. (Article VI, Section 15) The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount, upon providing reasonable security and indemnity to the mortgage

trustee, can require the mortgage trustee to take action toward the execution or enforcement of the trusts created by the mortgage. (Article VI, Section 16; Article XII, Section 1(b)(8))

No holder of any mortgage bond will have the right to institute any proceeding for the foreclosure of the mortgage or for the enforcement of any other remedy under the mortgage unless:

No holder of mortgage bonds will have any right in any manner to affect, disturb or prejudice the lien of the mortgage. (Article VI, Section 18)

Nothing in the mortgage, however, will affect or impair the right of any bondholder, which is absolute and unconditional, to enforce payment of the principal and interest of such holder’s bonds. (Article VI, Section 18)

The laws of the various states in which the trust estate is located may limit or deny the ability of the mortgage trustee to enforce certain rights and remedies provided in the mortgage in accordance with their terms.

DTE Electric is required to furnish to the mortgage trustee an opinion of counsel as to recordation of each supplemental indenture and an annual opinion as to recording, filing, re-recording and re-filing of the mortgage and supplements thereto. (Article XA, Section 3) DTE Electric is also required to furnish to the mortgage trustee an annual certificate of its officers as to compliance with certain provisions of the mortgage. (Article V, Section 19)

We may issue the debt securities in one or more series with the same or various maturities. (Section 301) We may issue debt securities solely in fully registered form as registered securities without coupons, solely in bearer form as bearer securities with or without coupons, or both as registered securities and bearer securities. (Section 301)

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal and interest, if any, on the debt securities offered thereby are to be payable at the office or agency of DTE Electric maintained for such purposes in the city where the principal corporate trust office of the indenture trustee is located, and will initially be the principal corporate trust office of the indenture trustee, provided that payment of interest, if any, may be made at the option of DTE Electric by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the day specified in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus.

However, if we default in paying interest on a debt security, we will pay defaulted interest in either of the two following ways:

We may sell debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. We may describe the Federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any series in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Registered debt securities will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and stated maturity (as defined in the indenture). Debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed), at the office of the indenture trustee or at the office of any transfer agent designated by DTE Electric for such purpose, without service charge but upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the indenture. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the books of the indenture trustee or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. (Section 305)

DTE Electric will not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt securities of such series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any such registered debt security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any such debt security being redeemed in part. (Section 305)

If we issue debt securities of any series as bearer securities, the prospectus supplement will contain any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms upon which bearer securities of the series may be exchanged for registered securities of the series and, if permitted by applicable laws and regulations, the terms upon which registered securities of the series may be exchanged for bearer securities of the series, whether such debt securities are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global security may exchange such interests for debt securities of such series and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur.

DTE Electric will be deemed to have paid and discharged the indebtedness on all the debt securities of a series and the indenture trustee will execute instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of such indebtedness and, if applicable, will pay, or assign or transfer and deliver to DTE Electric the related mortgage bond issued in connection with the debt securities of such series if:

Any one of the following events will constitute an event of default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series:

If an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, either the indenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, by notice as provided in the indenture, may declare the principal amount of such debt securities to be due and payable immediately. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of money has been obtained by the indenture trustee, and subject to applicable law and certain other provisions of the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration. (Section 602)

The indenture provides that within 90 days after the occurrence of any event of default thereunder with respect to the debt securities of any series, the indenture trustee shall transmit, in the manner set forth in the indenture, notice of such event of default to the holders of the debt securities of such series unless such event of default has been cured or waived; provided, however, that except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt security of such series, the indenture trustee may withhold such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or responsible officers of the indenture trustee has in good faith determined that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities of such series. (Section 701)

If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, the indenture trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of debt securities of such series by all appropriate judicial proceedings. (Section 603)

The indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the indenture trustee during any default to act with the required standard of care, the indenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless such holders shall have offered to the indenture trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 702) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the indenture trustee, and subject to applicable law and certain other provisions of the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the indenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the indenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series. (Section 612)

In addition, the indenture provides that no holder of any debt security will have any right to institute any proceeding judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy thereunder unless:

Furthermore, no holder will be entitled to institute any such action if and to the extent that such action would disturb or prejudice the rights of other holders. (See Section 607)

However, each holder has an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment when due and to bring a suit to enforce that right. (See Section 608)

We and the indenture trustee may, without the consent of the holders, modify provisions of the indenture for certain purposes, including:

We and the indenture trustee may modify certain other provisions of the indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected by the modification; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby:

The holders of at least 66²/₃% in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive compliance by DTE Electric with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. (Section 1109) The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or any interest on any debt security of that series, or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security of that series. (Section 613)

DTE Electric may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person that is a corporation, partnership or trust organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction, or may permit any such person to consolidate with or merge into DTE Electric or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to DTE Electric, provided that any successor person assumes DTE Electric’s obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture, that after giving effect to the transaction no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and that certain other conditions are met. In the case of any such transaction in which DTE Electric is not the surviving successor, except in the case of a lease, DTE Electric will be relieved of its obligations under the debt securities and the indenture. (Sections 901 and 902)

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of secured debt securities will be secured as to payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, as set forth below.

General. In order to secure the obligation of DTE Electric to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the secured debt securities of each series, DTE Electric will issue and deliver to and pledge with the indenture trustee its mortgage bonds such that the aggregate principal amount of the secured debt securities outstanding will not exceed the aggregate principal amount of the related mortgage bonds pledged with and held by the indenture trustee. (Section 401) The mortgage bonds will bear interest at times and in amounts sufficient to provide for the payment of interest on the related secured debt securities and also will be redeemed at times and in amounts that correspond to the required payments of principal of and any premium on the related secured debt securities. Payments on the secured debt securities will satisfy payment obligations on the underlying mortgage bonds. (Article 4) The mortgage bonds will be secured by a first mortgage lien on certain property owned by DTE Electric and will rank on parity with all other general and refunding mortgage bonds of DTE Electric. See “— Provisions Applicable to General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds — Security and Priority” above. As of December 31, 2018, DTE Electric had outstanding approximately $6.6 billion aggregate principal amount of general and refunding mortgage bonds. See “— Provisions Applicable to General and Refunding Mortgage Bonds.”

Satisfaction of Payment Obligation on Mortgage Bonds. The indenture provides that the obligation of DTE Electric to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the mortgage bonds will be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged to the extent that at the time any such payment shall be due, the then due principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the related secured debt securities, shall have been paid, deemed to have been paid or otherwise satisfied and discharged. In addition, such obligation to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the mortgage bonds at any time will be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged to the extent that the amount of DTE Electric’s obligation to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the mortgage bonds exceeds the obligation of DTE Electric at that time to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the related secured debt securities. (Section 403)

Redemption of Mortgage Bonds. DTE Electric agrees in the indenture that upon the required payment of principal or premium, if any, becoming due and payable with respect to any secured debt securities, it will redeem the related mortgage bonds in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount becoming due and payable on such secured debt securities, plus accrued interest; provided, however, that DTE Electric’s obligation to redeem such mortgage bonds will be fully or partially deemed to have been satisfied and discharged to the extent that at the time any such payment shall be due, the then due aggregate principal amount of the secured debt securities, plus the aggregate amount of any premium on, or accrued interest to the redemption date for, such secured debt securities shall have been fully or partially paid, deemed to have been paid or otherwise satisfied and discharged. Except for such redemption, DTE Electric covenants that it will not redeem the mortgage bonds or take any action that will result in the mortgage trustee or DTE Electric incurring an obligation to redeem the mortgage bonds. (Section 404)

Voting of Mortgage Bonds. The indenture provides that the indenture trustee will, as holder of the mortgage bonds delivered as the basis for the issuance of debt securities, attend such meetings of bondholders under the related mortgage, or deliver its proxy in connection therewith, as relates to matters with respect to which it, as such holder, is entitled to vote or consent. The indenture provides that, so long as no event of default as defined in the indenture has occurred and is continuing, the indenture trustee will, as holder of such mortgage bonds, vote or consent in favor of any amendments or modifications to the mortgage except that the trustee will not vote or consent to any such amendment or modification that is correlative to any amendment or modification of the indenture that would require the consent of holders of securities of any series without the prior written consent that would be required for such correlative amendment or modification of the indenture. (Section 407)

Release Date. If so provided in a prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, on a “release date” described below, DTE Electric will retire the related series of mortgage bonds and all other mortgage bonds subject to the release provisions, and thereafter will not issue any additional mortgage bonds under the mortgage. DTE Electric will be required to give notice to the holders of the applicable debt securities of the occurrence of any release date. The “release date” means the date as of which all mortgage bonds, other than the mortgage bonds subject to the release provisions of the indenture, including the series of mortgage bonds relating to any debt securities, and other than outstanding mortgage bonds which do not in aggregate principal amount exceed the greater of 5% of DTE Electric’s Net Tangible Assets (as defined below) or 5% of DTE Electric’s Capitalization, have been retired through payment, redemption or otherwise.

On the release date, the related series of mortgage bonds will no longer secure the applicable debt securities, and those debt securities, together with all other debt securities secured by mortgage bonds subject to the release provisions, will instead be secured by substitute mortgage bonds issued under a mortgage indenture other than the mortgage, which we refer to as the substitute mortgage. On the date of substitution, DTE Electric will issue and deliver to the indenture trustee, as security for such debt securities, substitute mortgage bonds. The interest rate, interest payment dates, method of paying interest, stated maturity date and redemption provisions will be identical to those of the applicable series of debt securities, and the substitute mortgage bonds will be issued in the same aggregate principal amount as the related debt securities then outstanding. Until all mortgage bonds issued under the mortgage are no longer outstanding and the mortgage is terminated, the lien securing the substitute mortgage bonds would be subject to the prior lien of the mortgage.

At December 31, 2018 we had outstanding mortgage bonds subject to the release provisions of approximately $1.8 billion, and outstanding mortgage bonds not subject to the release provisions of approximately $4.8 billion, which is approximately 26% of our net tangible assets and 36% of our Capitalization.

“Capitalization” means the total of all the following items appearing on, or included in, our consolidated balance sheet: (i) liabilities for indebtedness maturing more than 12 months from the date of determination, and (ii) common stock, common stock expense, accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, preferred stock, preference stock, premium on capital stock and retained earnings (however the foregoing may be designated), less, to the extent not otherwise deducted, the cost of shares of our capital stock held in our treasury, if any. Subject to the foregoing, capitalization shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices applicable to the type of business in which we are engaged and may be determined as of a date not more than 60 days prior to the happening of the event for which the determination is being made.

“Net Tangible Assets” means the amount shown as total assets on our consolidated balance sheet, less (i) intangible assets including, but without limitation, such items as goodwill, trademarks, trade names, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other regulatory assets carried as an asset on our consolidated balance sheet, and (ii) appropriate adjustments, if any, on account of minority interests. Net Tangible Assets shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices applicable to the type of business in which we are engaged and may be determined as of a date not more than 60 days prior to the happening of the event for which such determination is being made.

Surrender and Exchange of Mortgage Bonds. The indenture trustee will surrender to the mortgage trustee for cancellation the mortgage bonds in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of any other mortgage bonds delivered to and pledged with the indenture trustee pursuant to the indenture in exchange therefor, provided that the mortgage bonds so delivered to and pledged with the indenture trustee contain no provisions that would impair the benefit of the lien of the mortgage in favor of the holders of the related secured debt securities. (Section 406(c))

Subordinated debt securities will be issued under the indenture and will rank equally with certain other subordinated debt of DTE Electric that may be outstanding from time to time and will rank junior to all senior indebtedness of DTE Electric (including any senior debt securities) that may be outstanding from time to time.

The payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the subordinated debt securities is expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the indenture, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness. (See form of supplemental indenture creating subordinated debt securities).

Upon (i) any acceleration of the principal amount due on the subordinated debt securities or (ii) any payment or distribution of our assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of us, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all principal and premium, if any, and interest due upon all senior indebtedness shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money or money’s worth in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the principal of or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities, and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization any payment or distribution of our assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the subordinated debt securities would be entitled, except for the provisions of the indenture, shall (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred by the provisions of the subordinated debt securities upon the senior indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the subordinated debt securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law), be paid by us or any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, or by the holders of the subordinated debt securities if received by them, directly to the holders of senior indebtedness (pro rata to each such holder on the basis of the respective amounts of senior indebtedness held by such holder) or their representatives, to the extent necessary to pay all senior indebtedness (including interest thereon) in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payments or distributions to or for the holders of senior indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the holders of the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities. Our consolidation with or merger into another person or our liquidation or dissolution following the conveyance or transfer of our property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another person upon the terms and conditions provided in the indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for these purposes.

In the event that any payment or distribution of our assets of any kind or character not permitted by the foregoing provisions, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the trustee or the holders of subordinated debt securities before all senior indebtedness is paid in full, or provision made for such payment, in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such senior indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any of such senior indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of all senior indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such senior indebtedness in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such senior indebtedness.

We will make no payment on account of principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities unless full payment of amounts then due for principal, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest on any senior indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth in accordance with the terms of

such senior indebtedness. We will make no payment on account of principal or interest on the subordinated debt securities if, at the time of such payment or immediately after giving effect thereto, (i) there shall exist a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest with respect to any senior indebtedness, or (ii) there shall have occurred an event or default (other than a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest) with respect to any senior indebtedness, as defined therein or in the instrument under which the same is outstanding, permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof, and such event of default shall not have been cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist.

From and after the payment in full of all senior indebtedness, the holders of the subordinated debt securities (together with the holders of any other indebtedness of DTE Electric that is subordinate in right of payment to the payment in full of all senior indebtedness, which is not subordinate in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities and which by its terms grants such right of subrogation to the holder thereof) shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of senior indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of assets or securities of DTE Electric applicable to the senior indebtedness until the subordinated debt securities shall be paid in full. For the purposes of such subrogation, no such payments or distributions to the holders of senior indebtedness of assets or securities, which otherwise would have been payable or distributable to holders of the subordinated debt securities, shall, as between DTE Electric, its creditors other than the holders of senior indebtedness, and the holders of the subordinated debt securities, be deemed to be a payment by DTE Electric to or on account of the senior indebtedness, it being understood that these provisions of the indenture are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the holders of the subordinated debt securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the senior indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in the indenture is intended to or shall impair as between DTE Electric, its creditors other than the holders of senior indebtedness, and the holders of the subordinated debt securities, the obligation of DTE Electric, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the holders of the subordinated debt securities the principal of and interest on the subordinated debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the holders of the subordinated debt securities and creditors of DTE Electric other than the holders of the senior indebtedness, nor shall anything therein prevent the holder of any subordinated debt security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under such subordinated debt security subject to the rights of the holders of senior indebtedness to receive cash, property or securities of DTE Electric otherwise payable or deliverable to the holders of the subordinated debt securities or to a representative of such holders, on their behalf.

Except as we may provide in the applicable prospectus supplement and supplemental indenture, the term “senior indebtedness” is defined in the indenture as indebtedness incurred by DTE Electric for money borrowed whether outstanding on the date hereof or incurred in the future, all deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such indebtedness and all evidences of indebtedness issued in exchange for any such indebtedness and guarantees by DTE Electric of the foregoing items of indebtedness for money borrowed by persons other than DTE Electric and all obligations as lessee under any and all leases of property, equipment and other assets required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles, unless, in any such case, such indebtedness, guarantee or obligation provides by its terms that it shall not constitute senior indebtedness.

If we issue subordinated debt securities, we will describe the aggregate principal amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date in the applicable prospectus supplement. The indenture does not restrict the amount of senior indebtedness that DTE Electric may incur.

The indenture is governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the successor trustee under the indenture and the successor trustee under the mortgage. Affiliates of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. act as lender for, and provide other banking, investment banking and other financial services to, DTE Electric and its affiliates. The Trust Indenture Act contains limitations on the rights of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., in its capacity as indenture trustee and mortgage trustee, should it become a creditor of DTE Electric, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. Each of the indenture trustee and the mortgage trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with DTE Electric and its subsidiaries from time to time, provided that if either such trustee acquires any conflicting interests it must eliminate such conflicts upon the occurrence of an event of default under the indenture or mortgage, as the case may be, or else resign.

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the securities will be represented by one or more global securities. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC.

Portions of the following information concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry only system have been obtained from sources, including DTC, that we believe to be reliable. We make no representation as to the accuracy of such information.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues and money market instruments that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of global securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the global securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security (“Beneficial Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the global securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of global securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC will have no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the global securities; DTC’s records will reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial Owners may wish to take certain steps to augment transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the global securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults and proposed amendments to the Indenture. Beneficial Owners may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the global securities for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to the Beneficial Owners. In the alternative, Beneficial Owners may wish to provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.

Any redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of a series of global securities are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

Principal and interest payments, distributions and dividend payments and redemption proceeds, if any, on the global securities will be made to Cede & Co. or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from the trustee or agent on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Direct and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street-name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participants and not of DTC, the trustee or agent for such securities or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, distributions and dividend payments and redemption proceeds, if any, to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of the appropriate trustee or agent and us, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, certificates representing the securities are required to be printed and delivered.

We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository), subject to the procedures of DTC. In that event, certificates representing the securities will be printed and delivered to DTC.

The underwriters, dealers or agents of any of the securities may be direct participants of DTC.

DTE Electric may sell the securities through agents, underwriters or dealers, or directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

DTE Electric may designate one or more agents to sell the securities. Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the agents will agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis.

If DTE Electric uses underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The underwriters may sell the securities directly or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters. Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any of those securities are purchased. If DTE Electric uses a dealer in the sale, it will sell the securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell those securities at varying prices determined at the time of resale. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re- allowed or paid to dealers will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and may be changed from time to time.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from DTE Electric and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The applicable prospectus supplement will identify any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. DTE Electric may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market. DTE Electric may elect to list any class or series of securities on any exchange but is not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. DTE Electric cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate-covering transactions and penalty bids under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. These stabilizing activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

The validity of the securities and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for DTE Electric by Wendy Ellis, General Counsel. Ms. Ellis beneficially owns shares of DTE Energy common stock. Except as otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, certain legal matters relating to the securities will be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, New York, New York.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has represented, and may in the future continue to represent, us and certain of our affiliates in connection with certain nuclear waste and other nuclear regulatory matters and certain insurance recovery matters unrelated to the offering of securities described in this prospectus.

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

Our parent, DTE Energy, maintains a web site at http://www.dteenergy.com that contains information about us. The information on DTE Energy’s web site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and you should not consider it part of this prospectus.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed):

Each of these documents is available from the SEC’s web site described above. We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of that person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated in this prospectus or in any related prospectus supplement by reference, excluding the exhibits to those documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference therein. You may make such a request by writing or telephoning DTE Electric Investor Relations at:


J.P. Morgan		Mizuho Securities		MUFG		Scotiabank		TD Securities


	Page
Where You Can Find More Information		S-2
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		S-2
Prospectus Supplement Summary		S-4
Risk Factors		S-6
Use of Proceeds		S-6
Description of Mortgage Bonds		S-7
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences		S-10
Underwriting (Conflict of Interest)		S-15
Legal Matters		S-21
Experts		S-21


Underwriter	Principal Amount of Series A Bonds	Principal Amount of Series B Bonds
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC	$	$
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
MUFG Securities Americas Inc.
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
TD Securities (USA) LLC
Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

Total	$	$


Fifth Third Securities		SunTrust Robinson Humphrey		US Bancorp


	Page
About This Prospectus		2
Risk Factors		3
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		3
DTE Electric Company		4
Use of Proceeds		4
The Securities That We May Offer		5
Description of Debt Securities		5
Book-Entry Securities		21
Plan of Distribution		23
Legal Matters		24
Experts		24
Where You Can Find More Information		24