This tech could keep EVs from stressing the grid-and save everyone money

"If you're a typical American, you get home from work and start flipping switches and turning knobs-doing laundry, cooking dinner, watching TV. With so many other folks doing the same, the strain on the electrical grid in residential areas is highest at this time. That demand will only grow as the world moves away from fossil fuels, with more people buying induction stoves, heat pumps, and electric vehicles."

"More and more models, for instance, feature "vehicle-to-grid," or V2G, capabilities, meaning they can send power to the grid as needed. Others are experimenting with what's called active managed charging, in which algorithms stagger when EVs charge, instead of them all drawing energy as soon as their owners plug in. The idea is for some people to charge later, but still have a full battery when they leave for work in the morning."

"A new report from the Brattle Group, an economic and energy consultancy, done for EnergyHub, which develops such technology, has used real-world data from EV owners in Washington state to demonstrate the potential of this approach, both for utilities and drivers. They found that an active managed charging program saves up to $400 per EV each year, and the vehicles were still always fully charged in the morning."

Residential electricity demand peaks in the early evening as people return home and use appliances, and rising electrification will increase that peak. Utilities face strain and potential costly upgrades to accommodate induction stoves, heat pumps, and electric vehicles. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology and active managed charging can shift or supply energy to reduce peak load. Active managed charging uses algorithms to stagger EV charging so vehicles still reach full charge by morning while charging later. Analysis using real-world Washington state EV data shows active managed charging can save up to $400 per EV annually and reduce early-evening demand, delaying utility upgrades and lowering costs for ratepayers.

Read at Fast Company