DIXON, Calif.— Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Efficient Drivetrains Incorporated (EDI) unveiled the utility industry’s first plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) Class 6 truck featuring technology that has the potential to fundamentally change how the utility manages planned and unplanned outages.

The vehicle, developed by EDI in partnership with PG&E, features a plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain that combines up to 50 miles of all-electric driving with 300 more miles of driving range in hybrid mode. The result is a Class 6 truck that reduces emissions by 80 percent compared to conventional vehicles. What makes this unit so revolutionary, however, is its exportable power capacity of up to 160kW. By harnessing the power of the on-board batteries, this vehicle can power up to 125 homes, potentially eliminating planned outages while shortening unplanned outages.

“These cutting-edge trucks not only will help us reduce our fuel costs as well as our carbon footprint, but in the event of an outage, we would be able use their exportable power capacity to supply electricity to homes and businesses. Being able partner with a company that operates a manufacturing plant in the heart of our service area will also help us meet our goal of creating economic vitality in the communities we are privileged to serve,” said Dave Meisel, senior director of transportation and aviation services for PG&E.

Based in Dixon, California, EDI has partnered with PG&E on groundbreaking technology in the past, including the successful development and implementation of two different class 5 PHEV truck models in 2014. This new vehicle offers 25% more exportable power capacity than its predecessors while maintaining the same electric driving range on a larger platform truck. All of the EDI units offer both parallel and series hybrid modes, allowing the vehicle to maximize fuel efficiency in both highway and in-city driving conditions.

“EDI is pleased to be part of PG&E’s vision for rapid electrification of transportation. Our EDI PowerDrive™ PHEV drivetrain system and Power2E™ AC Power Export products are an ideal match for the class-6 Peterbilt truck. We applaud the utility industry’s commitment toward electrifying their fleets in order to reduce emissions and improve the quality of our air,” said Joerg Ferchau, chief executive officer for EDI.

The truck, a flat-bed design, will be used to haul materials such as transformers to job sites. PG&E has accepted delivery of two of the units.

EDI, a California-based clean technology success story, was founded in 2006 and began operation in 2007 with a small government loan from the State of California. Since that time, they’ve grown into a multi-million dollar company, commercializing hybrid and electric drivetrain solutions, continuously variable transmissions, and drivetrain software for automotive manufacturers worldwide. In addition to their US presence, EDI exports electric vehicles to China, and attracts foreign investment from China to support local jobs. EDI has operations in Dixon, California and worldwide headquarters in the Silicon Valley.

PG&E operates the greenest utility fleet in the industry, with nearly 3,500 alternative fuel vehicles, including approximately 1,000 electric and electric hybrid units.

About EDI

Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI) develops and markets state-of-the-art proprietary drivetrain products and technologies that have application in PHEVs, HEVs, and BEVs worldwide. EDI offers both electric and hybrid drivetrain architectures across nearly all platform classes and configurations. EDI is active in automotive projects in North America and the APAC region. More information about EDI is available at www.efficientdrivetrains.com

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.