On the anniversary of last year’s South Napa earthquake, California utility PG&E has donated a plug-in hybrid truck to the city of Napa for use in future disaster response operations.

The truck, developed in California by Efficient Drivetrains, Inc (profiled in the March/April 2015 issue of Charged) in partnership with PG&E, has a 30-mile electric range, and can provide up to 40 kVa of exportable power, enough to power a small neighborhood. In a disaster situation, the truck will allow first responders to plug in lighting and equipment at the site of an emergency.

This vehicle is part of a larger PG&E initiative to donate plug-in hybrid pickup trucks and charging infrastructure to local fire departments. The company aims to operate the greenest fleet in the utility industry – it already has around 1,000 hybrid and electric vehicles.

“As we look back today and celebrate the progress made in Napa since the earthquake, we also look forward and emphasize the importance for each of us to have an emergency plan before a natural disaster occurs,” said Barry Anderson, PG&E Vice President of Emergency Preparedness and Operations. “By supporting the city and first responders with new technologies like this next-generation electric hybrid truck, we are furthering our collaboration toward increasing local emergency preparedness.”

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric