Utility industry bigwigs joined Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz at the White House to announce two initiatives to promote electric transportation technologies.

More than 70 investor-owned electric utilities will increase investment by about $250 million over 5 years to add more electric vehicles to their fleets, starting in 2015.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) also announced a program to encourage EEI member utilities to participate in the DOE’s Workplace Charging Challenge and to help drive EV adoption among utility employees.

“The commitment we’re announcing today isn’t just about purchasing more vehicles, and it’s not just about utilities,” said PG&E CEO Tony Earley. “It’s about encouraging clean energy innovation, growing the marketplace for electric drive technologies and positioning our country – and our customers – to take full advantage of the incredible opportunity that electrification represents.”

PG&E also unveiled a PHEV Class 5 bucket truck. The truck, developed by PG&E in partnership with Efficient Drivetrains Incorporated, has a 40-mile electric range, and electrifies all onboard equipment,including the boom, eliminating the need to idle while at job sites. PG&E’s fleet already includes nearly 1,500 electric and hybrid vehicles.

“We are pleased that the Administration recognizes the unprecedented effort and commitment by our industry to lead by example and to drive innovations in the electric transportation market,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “Advancing plug-in electric vehicles and technologies is an industry priority, and we are proud to undertake our new initiative to encourage PEV adoption among our more than 500,000 employees.”

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric