ATLANTA, May 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As the early summer sun rose on the parking lot of Georgia Power headquarters in Atlanta this morning, hundreds of Georgia Power employees, community and business leaders gathered for a special event around a glistening new fleet of plug-in electric hybrid Chevy Volts. Georgia Power Chairman, President & CEO Paul Bowers was joined by Commissioner Tim Echols of the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) and Michael Beinenson of the EV Club of the South to mark the addition of 32 new electric vehicles (EVs) to the company's fleet.

"We are leading by example and demonstrating to our customers, and other Georgia businesses, that electric transportation works for all drivers," said Bowers at the event. "Through constructive regulation, and partnerships with organizations like the EV Club of the South, we are growing the EV market in Georgia and helping our customers reap the overwhelming benefits of driving electric."

Bowers also noted Commissioner Echols' leadership in increasing awareness of EVs in Georgia, including support and involvement in the annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow each June.

The new, Georgia Power-branded Chevy Volts will be highly visible in local communities from Savannah to Columbus to Rome and will be driven daily by Georgia Power employees as they serve customers. The EVs will be used primarily by the company's energy efficiency experts as they travel to conduct energy audits at homes and businesses, a service provided to help Georgia Power customers save money and energy.

In 2014, Georgia Power launched a new electric transportation initiative to advance Georgia as an exceptionally EV-friendly state through its Get Current. Drive Electric.™ program. The program currently includes an ongoing public education campaign, EV charger rebates for business and residential customers and special rates and charging options for EV customers.

Georgia Power is dedicated to developing products and services which meet the needs of customers, including an increasing interest in EVs and electric transportation options. For additional information about driving electric with Georgia Power, including available rebate programs and resources such as an interactive savings calculator, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/EV.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity.  Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship form the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind.  Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

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SOURCE Georgia Power