Automakers, it seems, have figured out a new way to reach potential electric vehicle buyers — go through their utility company.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced this week that its customers can receive $3,000 off a new 2018 Nissan Leaf, a special offer that will end July 2. The discount — which comes out of the automaker’s profit and does not involve a rebate from PG&E — will be applied at the time of sale.

Nissan has already introduced a similar offer to customers of the Salt River Project utility in Arizona as well as several electric companies in Hawaii.

The idea is not unique. BMW currently offers PG&E customers a $10,000 discount on its i3 electric car, a deal that expires at the end of May. The special offers from both Nissan and BMW come in addition to California’s $2,500 rebate for buying an electric car as well as the federal government’s $7,500 EV tax credit.

California represents by far the largest market for electric vehicles in the United States, and PG&E is the state’s biggest utility. So the concept of targeting PG&E customers for special EV deals makes sense.

The Leaf has become the world’s best-selling electric car since it hit the market in late 2010. But its sales tanked last fall as potential buyers waited for the 2018 model — the car’s first redesign — to reach dealerships. The updated Leaf can drive 151 miles on a fully charged battery pack, 40 percent farther than the previous model, and starts at $29,990 before incentives.

The Leaf was the fourth most-popular electric car in California last year, with 4,414 new Leafs registered. The Chevrolet Bolt led the field, with 13,487 registered in California during 2017, followed by the Tesla Model S, the Tesla Model X and the electric Fiat 500.

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF