Remember the “mullet” hairstyle? Long in back, short on the sides and front? It was a cultural icon circa 1990. And, in the case of an old photo from the Puget Sound Energy archives, it’s a clue electric cars have been around for a while.

Our first electric car was an early ’90s Ford Escort, with a few hundred pounds of extra lead-acid batteries under the hatchback and an electric motor rather than gasoline. As our proud, mullet-wearing employee would have told you, it was yesterday’s idea of a high-tech car, but with one tiny problem: it couldn’t manage 20 miles before the battery went flat and you coasted to a stop. Today, though, the electric car is looking a lot better.

Standard hybrids, which have both a gasoline engine and onboard batteries that recharge when you hit the brakes, have been around for a while and chances are you or your neighbor has one. PSE leases a few dozen, and they are a great and practical way to get around, while using a lot less fuel. PSE even recently acquired a hybrid diesel-electric service truck that we’re testing, too.

Plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs, for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) are more exotic. We recently purchased two, both of which are modified Toyota Prius automobiles, each with a bigger battery than the stock hybrid. They are recharged through a conventional 110-volt socket via an ordinary extension cord, and are capable of using only electric power around town, adding their gasoline engine on the highway or for a longer trip.

They’ve been getting from around 50 mpg to as much as 60 mpg in our tests, compared to about 40 mpg or more for our standard hybrids. Testing these cars is a good way for us to know more about what the demand for energy will be when they’re in your company’s fleet – or in your garage.

All-electric vehicles are more exotic, but growing more popular. Some, like the one driven by my boss, are limited to driving on side-streets, others, as the sporty Tesla roadster, will get you a speeding ticket if you’re not careful. More are coming down the pipe in the next few years.

As an electric utility, we’re working with car-makers and government agencies to make sure we’re ready for whatever you decide to park in your garage. We’re confident we have the energy needed to meet this new demand, and if a new electric car catches your eye at the dealership, we want you to be able plug in and not stress out.

New technologies also promise ways to benefit the environment through smart-charging, which could shift charging to overnight hours and potentially ease peak demand. Some plans also envision charging stations at public places, or even “stop and swap” locations where you’ll pull in and simply exchange your worn-down battery for a fresh one and be off and running. Think of it as the pit at a race track, but without the race. It will be a chance for to replace your car’s battery similar to stopping to refuel for gas.

Whatever you decide to drive, we’ll keep you humming down the highway. Just do me one favor, skip the mullet! Some good ideas should stay forgotten.