Lawmakers Could Push Vehicle-To-Grid Implementation Forward

U.S. lawmakers are aiming to jumpstart plans for a more secure power grid, in the form of Vehicle-To-Grid (V2G). Some lawmakers assert that more research and incentive is needed to fully utilize and understand the technology.

For the uninformed, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology is where an electric vehicle can feed its power directly to the power grid. This tech is starting to trickle its way onto modern EVs, like the Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Lawmakers, EV, and V2G enthusiasts alike insist that the tech could be useful, especially in times of need, for example, during a natural disaster.

A 21-page report has been drafted by two groups interested in V2G technology – the Electrification Coalition, and the Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) group. In the report, both groups outline the benefits of V2G, and outline plans of action and suggestions for federal, local, and state governments to support the technology.

Automotive News says that the report names large electric school busses as a particular vehicle of interest. An electric school bus could “power five operating rooms for more than eight hours, or a single operating room for more than 43 hours,” a real asset in times of hardship.

Right now, the biggest setback, is that V2G standards are not uniform, and establishing EV infrastructure is expensive. EV system operators and owners are skeptical due to the lack of data with V2G. SAFE and the Electrification Coalitions’ report focuses on standardizing credentials, and futureproofing the EV grid, and allying those cost concerns with data, and studies.

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