Utilities

More than 100 public power utilities have joined the campaign as Utility Plug-In Partners, offering strong support and partnering with the local governments they serve.

Resources in the Plug-In Partners Packet can be a springboard for a Utility's involvement:

1. Issue a statement of support for the Plug-In Partnership campaign. Endorse the Plug-In Partners campaign by passing a resolution or submitting the Plug-In Partner Commitment Form. By doing so, you'll be joining the National Initiative as an official Plug-In Partner and will be included in a national listing.
2. Consider providing funding for rebates or incentives for the purchase of an initial round of PHEVs in your community, when they become available. Some utilities may be able to provide rebates while others cannot. If funding is limited, consider narrowing the scope of what you provide, perhaps providing grants to governments or to various public organizations for fleet additions of PHEVs. Think about ways your utility could provide financial or even non-financial incentives for PHEVs. For instance, you could assist your local governments in producing printed materials for their plug-in campaigns.
3. Consider utility fleet order commitments for future years. In addition to the heavy trucks that are necessary for your utility business, there are also sedans, vans and light duty trucks. Consider a commitment to purchase a few PHEVs in each category in the future, given the availability of the product. Although the exact cost is not known, assume it will be a few thousand dollars more in cost than the current hybrids. Again, this is not a firm order, but a commitment to purchase a few vehicles given their availability and reasonable price. Submit your "soft" order through our Fleet Order Form or by completing the Fleet Order form included in the Plug-In Partners Packet.
4. Consider recruitment of other utilities to the Plug-In Partnerships campaign. Try to recruit at least two other utilities to join the effort.
5. Educate your employees so that they become ambassadors for the mass production of PHEVs. Support your employees signing the Plug-In Partnership petition and make petitions or a sign-up means available to them.
6. Add PHEVs to your speakers bureau menu and solicit opportunities with neighborhood, business and civic groups to provide information on the initiative and to collect signatures.
7. Report your plug-in related activities to www.pluginpartners.org , the national web site for the Plug-In Partners National Initiative. This includes your resolution, rebates and incentives, soft purchase commitments, signatures collected and special activities.