Chevrolet Volt Chevrolet Volt Photo courtesy of General Motors


Experts would say yes. In fact, with the right technology, electric vehicles could do more to help the grid than harm it. Through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, plug-in vehicles are capable of adding power capacity to the grid during high demand - known as peak shaving - and also storing renewable energy that can be returned to the grid during peak hours. V2G technology also may benefit consumers who could sell that excess power back to grid operators.

For V2G technology to work, however, plug-in electric vehicles must be grid-integrated. This would require car manufacturers to make vehicles with two-way connections that let them take energy from the grid for charging and give back excess power. They'll also need a control system that grants grid operators access to vehicles' batteries and a way to track energy exchange between the vehicle and grid. Finally concerns remain about the electric grid's stability, despite demonstrations of how the grid and plug-in vehicles can have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Photo: Cadillac Converj concept car/Photo by Kenavt/Wikipedia

Gridlock Demystified

The nation's power grid is designed to support peak energy loads, so when electricity demand is low - typically between midnight and 6 a.m. - unused energy is produced by coal- and gas-fired power plants. Charging plug-in vehicles during off-peak hours could use that excess energy, which is what some researchers call "filling the trough." And if plug-in vehicles charge while demand is low, it wouldn't be necessary to increase the grid's delivery capacity.

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