Electric

Idaho’s and Oregon’s transportation sector is primarily fueled by and diesel. In many cases, electricity is a more efficient transportation fuel and can economically replace fossil fuels and reducing emissions. The transition from fossil fuels to electricity for transportation has already begun in many states and has matured to the point that Idaho and Oregon have started efforts to transition, too. While transforming small passenger cars to electric is the primary area of interest in the United States right now, other means of transportation are also undergoing transformation:

• Major airports around the nation are electrifying their ground-support vehicles and realizing a significant cost savings while reducing emissions from the airport. • Electric outlets are being added to stops to provide electricity to the refrigeration units on instead of idling diesel engines to keep food cold. • Sea ports have electrified their cargo handling cranes, shifting from diesel drive to electric drive. • Utilities are switching to electric forklift trucks.

Since 2009, Idaho Power has undertaken several activities to prepare for a higher penetration of electric vehicles (EV) on the Idaho Power system. These include analyzing and documenting the potential effects EVs may have on the electric system, participating in the Treasure Valley Plug-in Electric Interest Group and monitoring EV charging in the homes of willing customers. Idaho Power has also taken steps toward electrifying its fleet, including purchasing EVs and installing charging stations to fuel them, adding several hybrid bucket trucks and installing plug-in idle mitigation technology in select company vehicles.

In 2015, a workplace charging center was established at the company’s headquarters in downtown Boise. In addition to two existing fleet charging stations, seven charging ports featuring technology from five different manufacturers were installed to charge employee-owned EVs. Idaho power is not only encouraging its employees to adopt EVs, outreach to service area employers is underway to promote locally fueled, tailpipe emission-free vehicles.

As of the end of 2016, Idaho Power’s electric fleet consisted of seven passenger vehicles, including four Leafs and three Chevy Volts, 18 hybrid-electric bucket trucks, one all-electric Genie Lift, three all- electric forklifts, two battery-assisted trucks and an electric utility vehicle stationed at the company’s Hells Canyon Complex campground. Additionally, the company has 29 EV charging stations at nine facilities.

Information is accurate as of December 31, 2016, unless otherwise noted.