Greening Vehicles
For nearly two decades, PG&E has pushed for cleaner, more efficient vehicles for our customers. We have also demonstrated leadership with our own vehicles — currently operating the nation’s largest natural gas utility fleet.
Driving Innovation
PG&E is a leader in plug-in hybrid vehicle technology. Not yet commercially available, these innovative vehicles differ from conventional hybrids because they contain a larger battery that can be plugged into a standard outlet. This increases fuel efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. We are currently testing a Plug-In Prius, which can achieve 100 miles per gallon when fully charged.
PG&E is proud to work with Plug-In Partners, Plug-In Bay Area, and other organizations to promote plug-in hybrid and dedicated electric vehicles.
We have also partnered with the Electric Power Research Institute to conduct a plug-in pilot project for an F550 Super Duty Trouble Truck. We are testing a converted Ford Escape hybrid to a PHEV and have planned a field trial an AC Propulsion Ebox dedicated electric vehicle.
PG&E is testing a new hybrid utility service truck in San Francisco, where it performs routine and emergency overhead line work.
PG&E was the first utility to demonstrate Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. This new concept turns each PHEV or electric vehicle into a potential energy storage system. We showcased this technology with Google and have partnered with EPRI to develop communications protocols needed for "smart charging" of plug-in hybrids and dedicated electric vehicles and to explore vehicle-to-home and future V2G.
Greening Our Own Fleet
In 2006, PG&E purchased 275 new compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, giving us a fleet of more than 1,180 vehicles fueled by CNG only or a bi-fuel (gasoline with a separate CNG system) system. In early 2008, we will add four Phoenix Motorcars all-electric sport utility trucks to our clean fuel fleet and have committed to purchase two plug-in hybrid SUVs for testing. We are testing a prototype hydrogen fuel cell vehicle made by DaimlerChrysler, as well. In addition, we have a 3,000 gallon liquefied natural gas tanker trailer ready to go as a temporary fueling station.
Partnering with Customers
PG&E’s Clean Air Transportation Program continues to support the use of alternative fuel vehicles by our customers with fleet vehicles. In 2006 alone, we helped our customers qualify for over $25.9 million in air district, state, and federal grants, including over $12 million in grants to fully fund 70 natural gas school buses across 19 school districts. PG&E also provides extensive support to a Port of Oakland-based trucking firm, which applied for state funding for 30 new CNG trucks and 30 more conversion systems. In doing this, we are helping an underserved community achieve its clean air goals.
Providing a Fueling Network
Utilizing 37 PG&E-owned-and-operated CNG fueling stations, we supply natural gas to more than 200 commercial and private fleets throughout the PG&E system. This includes transit districts, private refuse haulers, school districts, municipalities, air/seaports and other operators (taxi, package delivery, military and personal-vehicle owners).
Getting Results
In 2006, coupled with the vehicle natural gas used by our customers, we avoided the use of more than 15.7 million gallons of petroleum and the emission of approximately:
- 670 tons of NOx
- 40 tons of particulate matter
- 28,630 tons of CO2
Latest News
2008
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