The electric trucks were introduced during a webcast at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

PG&E's Greg Pruett says not only do they help reduce carbon dioxide emissions…but they also act as backup power sources:

"I'm going to lift this up and demonstrate to you (buzzing sound of electric saw)…think about rolling to your worksite and being able to plug that into your vehicle and run it all day long."

The trucks have a 15 kilowatt capacity. Pruett says that'll change the way the utility company gets electricity to customers during outages…

"…such as a residential customer in the Sierra foothills. They attach these wires from the onboard generator to the line that's not damaged and customers are restored."

The General Motors pickups were modified into electric vehicles by VIA Motors.