Ford Motor Company, seven of the world’s largest automakers, and 15 U.S. utility companies are collaborating together to develop technology that will allow plug-in electric vehicles to communicate with utility companies through a cloud. This type of technology would improve the efficiency of the power grid, as well as assist in managing energy use.
Associate global director for Electrification Infrastructure for Ford, Mike Tinskey, believes the new technology adds more rewards for electric vehicles. “It’s a way for plug-in electric vehicle drivers to be financially rewarded for their willingness to help manage the electric grid.”
The automakers, utility companies, and Electric Power Research Institute will work together to create a standard-based communications platform to be utilized by the electric grids and plug-in electric vehicles. The platform will allow the utility companies to contact customers a request to temporarily stop charging their vehicle to decrease the grid’s use.
The setup will employ Ford’s MyFord mobile app and will allow for future advancements in the system to include two-way communication between the electric vehicles and the electric grid.
Participating utility companies will offer owners financial incentives to make their cars available to the grid. Customers who choose to follow along with the program can charge their cars at a location of their choice and have the ability to ignore a request from a utility company to stop charging their vehicle.
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