After the passing of House Bill 1512 during the 2019 legislative session, Tacoma Power went to work creating an electrification of transportation plan to help optimize the future use of electric grid infrastructure and improve management of electric loads.
Now adopted by the Public Utility Board, the Transportation Electrification Plan features five guiding principles:
- Seek to understand the technology and the state of the industry.
- Help inform the public through education and outreach.
- Be responsible for utility finances and assets.
- Help customers achieve the benefits of transportation electrification.
- Maintain good governance and reasonable process to reduce risk and cost.
A companion action report, to be updated annually, outlines Tacoma Power’s efforts to advance transportation electrification.
Click here to download the 2020 Tacoma Power Transportation Electrification Plan
Click here to download the 2020 Tacoma Power Transportation Electrification Action Report
The plan received support from City of Tacoma’s Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability, Port of Tacoma, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, and Climate Solutions.
Tacoma Power has supported the advancement of transportation electrification since early 2016, through partnerships with the City of Tacoma, LeMay – America’s Car Museum, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Forth, Puget Sound Energy, and Cheney Stadium to host demonstration events, with more than 1,000 people participating overall. Over 400 took advantage of rides and drive events, providing people with their first experience in an electric vehicle. We also assisted the City of Tacoma in launching the first Electric Car Discount Program in the State of Washington and are currently in year two of a residential EV Charging Study. Education and customer engagement are crucial for informing the public about the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) and this continues to be an ongoing utility effort. Learn more about our ongoing work in this area here.