Utility to Expand Green Fleet With Plug-in Hybrid Electric Sports Utility Vehicles Designed to Achieve Over 100 Miles per Gallon

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 7- Pacific Gas and Electric Company today announced it has entered into an agreement with Raser Technologies, Inc. (NYSE Arca: RZ) for the purchase and demonstration of plug-in series hybrid electric sport utility vehicles (SUV). The vehicles are designed to achieve over 100 miles per gallon (mpg) in typical daily driving, while operating in near zero emission mode.

Initially, PG&E will purchase two plug-in hybrid SUVs from Raser for demonstration and testing, with the goal to integrate additional PHEVs into its fleet in the future. The PHEVs are expected to cut operational fuel costs up to 75 percent by driving in all-electric mode during typical daily fleet routes of up to 40 miles. When driving beyond the 40-mile battery electric range, the PHEVs may continue up to 400 miles by generating their own electricity. The fleet PHEVs are also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero during local daily driving. PG&E plans to plug in the vehicles at night, when energy demand is lowest, to maximize emission reductions and fuel savings for daily routes. Subsequent versions are expected to provide emergency mobile power from the vehicles onboard 100 kW generator to assist in power outages or provide mobile power for work and repairs. Read Article