Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) hosted an electric vehicle (EV) event showcasing current models from a wide range of automotive manufacturers as part of the utility’s efforts to encourage its employees to adopt EVs. Test drives and vehicle demonstrations were available for employees and members of the media. The utility also promoted its special electric vehicle rate plans that offer charging at $1 per gallon equivalent and its workplace electric vehicle charging station program.

In addition to the test drive event, the utility showcased one of its latest fleet electric vehicles, the utility industry’s first plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain Class 5 work truck featuring 120kW exportable power that can be used to shorten or eliminate planned and unplanned outages. Manufactured in the heart of PG&E’s service area in Dixon, Calif., by Efficient Drivetrains Incorporated (EDI), these vehicles are capable of providing power to up to 100 homes during an outage. The utility deployed these vehicles for the first time during the Valley Fire last fall to provide emergency power to evacuation camps.

Vehicles on display available for demonstrations/ride alongs included an EDI/PG&E exportable power utility truck. The truck was also used to charge electric vehicles at the event. In addition, the latest plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle models from Tesla, BMW, Audi, Ford, GM, Fiat, Nissan, Volkswagen, and more were on site.

PG&E is committed to driving the adoption of electric vehicles throughout its service territory, and this event was an opportunity to encourage employees to adopt electric vehicles to help meet the state’s vehicle electrification goals. The utility offers one of the cleanest power mixes in the nation, with over 50% of its supply coming from carbon-free sources.

In addition, PG&E is committed to driving economic vitality in its service area, and that is why the utility has partnered with Dixon-based EDI to develop the most technologically advanced vehicles in the utility industry.

The vehicles manufactured by EDI for PG&E are the first electric hybrid drivetrain to feature utility-grade exportable power in the industry. If PG&E were to replace all class five vehicles in its fleet with the EDI trucks, the utility would save over $3 million annually in fuels costs and reduce carbon emissions by more than 19 million pounds.

PG&E operates the greenest utility fleet in the nation, with nearly 3,500 alternative fuel vehicles, according to the company.