Pacific General Electric (PGE) is promoting the use of medium- and heavy-duty electric commercial trucks as grid-ready assets. The utility describes these vehicles as batteries on wheels, highlighting their potential to support the energy grid during periods of peak electricity demand.
PGE is currently testing the capability to dispatch energy from a fleet of electric school buses back to the grid. The utility notes that school buses are particularly suitable for this purpose due to their predictable schedules and long periods of inactivity while parked.
Oregon currently has nearly 150 000 registered electric vehicles on its roads. While the adoption of passenger EVs continues to grow, the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles is in its early stages.
State officials emphasize that while heavy trucks and buses account for a small portion of the total vehicle fleet in Oregon, they contribute a disproportionate share of transportation-related emissions. Electrification is viewed as a way to reduce these emissions and stabilize energy costs.
