Plug-In Electric Vehicles to “Talk” to Electric Companies

Ford Motor Company will join seven global automakers for a first-ever test of technology that will allow plug-in vehicles to respond in concert to a request from energy providers to stop, then restart charging.

The demonstration will take place Oct. 16 in Sacramento, California.

The goal is to help manage energy use and improve the efficiency of the power grid.

The automakers are collaborating with the Electric Power Research Institute, leading utility companies and Sumitomo Electric to develop a two-way communication platform that would allow plug-in electric vehicles from all participating manufacturers – with their varying technologies – to work with power grids.

The system will enable the utilities to send a message directly to the vehicle, asking it to stop charging temporarily as a way of helping a grid that is becoming overloaded. The program will be designed to be opt-in.

Category: Featured, General Update, Green