EV firms embrace vehicle-to-grid charging

Technology can allow vehicles to charge overnight when rates and load are low, then provide electricity back to the grid during peak hours as well as during blackouts

US car manufacturers are increasingly embracing the concept of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging for electric vehicles (EVs), improving the prospects for the technology. Auto manufacturer General Motors (GM) and San Francisco-based utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) recently announced a pilot to test the use of EVs as a back-up power source for homes during blackouts, which have become more frequent in California in recent years. Over the last few years, PG&E has had to cut power to homes during high winds, when sparks from electrical equipment could start fires. “This is a huge advancement for electric reliability and climate resiliency” Poppe, PG&E "Not only is this a hug