Electric vehicles are everywhere these days, but they’re not just modern marvels. BGE was ahead of the curve: we had a fleet of electric cars back when flappers were in fashion.
That’s not the only surprise hidden in our fleet’s history, though. As Claims Manager Chris Hitch (otherwise known as BGE’s unofficial historian) points out, we’ve also had motorcycles, barges and solar-assisted cars – just to name a few highlights from our over 200 years of operation!
The one thing that’s remained constant amidst all those changes? Our commitment to innovation, creativity and serving our customers.
Our first fleet had four legs, not four wheels. When Rembrandt Peale founded the Gas Light Company of Baltimore – our predecessor company – in 1816, horses and carts were the preferred mode of transportation. Back then, our offices at Spring Gardens and Front Street had their very own stables!
In 1911, horsepower started to take on a different meaning as we transitioned to using motorized vehicles. While you might think that we jumped straight to gas cars, that wasn’t the case. We considered steam powered, gas and electric models for our fleet and even had 20 to 30 electric cars between 1911 and 1930.
While gas cars dominated our fleet during the 20th century, they weren’t our only ride. In the 1920s, our customer service representatives cruised through the streets of Baltimore on motorcycles, supporting customers in style.
We only used motorcycles for a short time, but our commitment to an innovative fleet remained steady. Between the 1910s and 1980s, we took to the water, using tugboats and barges to transport coal and oil to our power plants. We embraced the air too – from the 1970s to the 1990s, we had two Jet Ranger helicopters for aerial photography. Whether we’re in the seas or the skies, we’re always looking for innovative ways to support our customers.
Over a century after we first used electric cars, we’re committed to electrifying our fleet once again. Today, we use electric drones to inspect equipment, assess storm damage and provide safer, more reliable service. We also have electric and hybrid vehicles of all shapes and sizes, ranging from small solar-assisted Chevy Bolts to larger trucks, and we’re eager to expand this existing fleet.
Our fleet has evolved many times over the past two centuries, and we’re just getting started. Whether it’s electric trucks or something we haven’t imagined yet, one thing is certain: the future of our fleet will be powered by innovation and our dedication to spreading good energy across Maryland.
