Canada launches bidirectional EV charging hub

Canada’s first vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot project for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles has been launched in British Columbia.

Coast to Coast Experiences (CTCE), which wants to electrify its North American fleet, is working with BC Hydro, The Lion Electric Company, BorgWarner, PowerTech Labs and Fermata Energy, to create the first rapid, deployable, end-to-end V2G mobile power infrastructure in Canada, enabling stored energy from CTCE’s electric bus fleet to support power grids, such as BC Hydro peaking and demand response initiatives.

The pilot aims to test the technical feasibility of bidirectional charging and mobile grid infrastructure, providing an opportunity to monetise electric fleets.

In collaboration with pilot partners, Fermata Energy’s bidirectional charging platform enables the parked electric buses to be used as mobile batteries with stored energy discharged to mitigate peak energy demand, send power back to the grid, lower the vehicles’ total cost of ownership and create value for electric fleet operators.

The initiative lays the groundwork for future deployable V2G charging hubs in Canada and North America.

CTCE electric buses, which stand idle many hours daily, can become valuable mobile power plants, allowing utilities to leverage power from the bidirectionally-enabled EV during peak periods to offset the grid, especially crucial during bad weather and natural disasters. 

“Ultimately, we are creating grid infrastructure solutions for an electrified transportation ecosystem that will provide for an end-to-end V2G mobile power infrastructure,” says Coast to Coast Experiences and Novex Delivery Solutions chief executive Rob Safrata.

“This enables commercial electric vehicle fleet operators, when their vehicles are sitting idle, to create a high-power, mobile, bidirectional power plant capable of supporting grid resilience, peak shaving, and powering buildings.”

Fermata Energy chief executive Tony Posawatz says integration with Lion Electric and BorgWarner allows Fermata Energy to leverage its AI-driven cloud-based V2X software platform to determine where power is needed most.

“This pilot is a great opportunity to capitalise on existing resources to build a stronger grid, create additional sources, and ultimately provide grid stability and economic value to ratepayers.”

Lion Electric president Nicolas Brunet says the pilot project aims to demonstrate the possibilities and impact of the innovative technology, which can support various power needs and generate revenue for the operator.

BC Hydro president and chief executive Chris O’Riley says the growing adoption of EVs means stationary vehicles can be used as back-up batteries to charge electronic devices, homes and businesses and even send power back to the grid when demand is high.

The V2G pilot project is fully commissioned and operational over the next fortnight participating in a variety of grid programs while creating a V2G road map for BC Hydro and laying the foundation for distributed V2G charging hubs throughout North America.