The Air Force is testing its first all-electric vehicle fleet at the Los Angeles Air Force Base in California. The 42-vehicle fleet consists entirely of plug-in electric vehicles and came about thanks to a partnership between state, federal, and private energy organizations. The Department of Defense is also using this opportunity to showcase budding vehicle-to-grid technology.

“Everything we do to fly, fight and win requires energy, whether it’s aviation fuel for our aircraft or power to run the bases that support them,”  Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said. “This vehicle-to-grid pilot is a great example of how Airmen are driving the Air Force forward and finding new and innovative ways to make every dollar count.”

Special charging stations have been installed on base to support the new fleet vehicles‘ vehicle-to-grid technology, meaning when they aren’t being driven they can direct power to and from the electrical grid. The cars can supply enough power for 140 homes, and the Air Force has plans to expand the pilot program to two other bases on the east coast.