V2G research project announced in US

A vehicle-to grid (V2G) research project in the US using the Toyota bZ4X EV has been launched.

Toyota North America and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) have announced the V2G research project employing Fermata Energy’s bidirectional charger and V2G platform which explores how EVs can support individual consumers and the broader electrical grid.

V2G technology has the potential to support customer needs through improved energy reliability and resilience, the integration of renewables, and the possibility of reduced electricity costs, says Toyota.

“Understanding the needs of BEV (battery electric vehicle) owners, their charging habits, and when they use their vehicles will be crucial in driving widespread adoption of V2G.

“Nearly 80% of owners currently charge their BEVs at home overnight, when grid demand is lower,” the brand explains.

“With bidirectional capability, these vehicles could send power back to the grid during peak demand hours or at other critical times, such as during rotating outages due to shortage in electricity supplies.

“The collaboration between SDG&E (which serves 3.7 million people) and Toyota’s Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions (EVCS) team aims to find synergies between the needs of BEV owners and the needs of the electricity grid, as well as explore how to communicate with BEV owners about the potential benefits of bidirectional capabilities.”

Fermata Energy is working with automotive companies such as Toyota and Nissan and charging companies (Heliox, BorgWarner) to expand their technology in turning EVs into mobile battery assets.

It also recently announced a partnership with Phoenix Motorcars to enable V2G capability for all bus and truck customers.

“We are embracing the concept of an entire electrified ecosystem for our customers, and the ability for vehicles to integrate with the grid is an essential component of this ecosystem,” says Toyota EV Charging Solutions group vice president Christopher Yang.

“Working with leading utilities, such as SDG&E, will ensure that customers can continue to confidently charge at home.

“Toyota seeks to empower utilities to better anticipate and leverage the significant number of plug-in hybrid and BEVs on their grids, both as a growing source of energy demand and, in the future, energy supply.”

SDG&E’s service territory encompassing 25 communities in San Diego and southern Orange Counties represents one of the largest Toyota BEV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ownership markets in California.

V2G has potential to be a game changer for the power grid and consumers, the research based at SDG&E’s San Diego campus, says chief commercial officer Miguel Romero.

The company has installed more than 3600 chargers at workplaces, schools, and parks, as well as industrial and commercial facilities and electrified more than 20% of its fleet.

SDG&E also works closely with many fleet operators to help them transition to EV fleets.

Toyota offers two mass-market BEVs in the US and Canada – the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ 450e.

The brand recently announced plans for a three-row BEV SUV to be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in 2025.

By 2030, Toyota aspires to offer 30 BEV models globally across its Toyota and Lexus brand nameplates and produce up to 3.5 million BEVs annually.