Richmond Power & Light will test using electric vehicles as a utility through its Parallax Systems, which provides fiber internet service.
General Manager Tony Foster received permission from the RP&L board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, to purchase two Tesla Model Y vehicles for about $39,000 each after receiving a tax rebate. Foster said updates to Model Y have resulted in deep discounts on the current inventory.
Parallax is self-funded, so no ratepayer money would be used, Foster said. RP&L has spoken with the Bargersville Police Department and the town of Daleville about their experiences using Tesla vehicles.
“We felt that using Parallax to test the use of electric vehicles for the utility would be a great starting place,” Foster said.
The 2025 Parallax budget includes $50,000 each for two new vehicles. One would replace a Ford Ranger, and the other is needed because of staff expansion. The Model Y is a midsized vehicle that has room for tools and equipment necessary to service Parallax customers.
“It really comes back around to putting our money where our mouth is as far as energy efficiency,” said Justin Burkhardt, the RP&L board chair. “I think it’s a bold move, but certainly, a move we could really see benefit from.”
With the board’s permission, Parallax will try and acquire two of the few white Model Y’s remaining at the Indianapolis supplier, Foster said. The white vehicles would match the rest of the RP&L and Parallax fleet.
Equipment bids
Foster opened one mobile power unit bid for the line department, and the board voted for him to take it under advisement.
Altec Service Center in London, Ohio, bid $87,583 for the unit that will replace a 1985 model. It includes better pumps, an air blower, a sump pump, an LED arrow board, a generator, dry air for tools and a winch for work on infrastructure in 118 manholes and 25 vaults.
RP&L this year budgeted $100,000 for a mobile power unit.
Foster also received board approval to pursue bids for a 55-foot bucket truck that would be used by the line department. RP&L will trade a 2015 Freightliner bucket truck with about 50,000 miles and 10,000 hours.
Energy cost adjustment
Board members unanimously approved a $0.000215 per kilowatt-hour increase in its second quarter residential energy cost adjustment.
The ECA adapts to how much the utility is paying for power from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency.
The residential ECA will be $0.011079 — or a little more than a penny — per kilowatt-hour. Even with the increase, the residential ECA remains lower than it was throughout 2024. The first-quarter 2025 ECA of $0.010864 was $0.005314 less than during 2024’s final quarter.
Reliability certification
Foster announced that RP&L received a three-year certification as a Reliable Public Power Provider from the American Public Power Association.
The certification compares all aspects of RP&L’s operations to peers, he said.
Foster also announced that the utility has begun work with its consultant on the 2025 rate study.
A version of this article appeared in the March 12 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.