Ford Executive Perspective: Developing and Producing Electric Vehicles is just one part of the Equation
For example, a vehicle owner could choose to accept a charge only during off-peak hours between midnight and 6 a.m. when electricity rates are reduced, or when the grid is using only renewable energy such as wind or solar power.
With this technology, electric vehicles can communicate directly with the electrical grid via smart meters provided by utility companies through wireless networking. The owner uses the vehicle’s touch screen navigation interface and an in-dash computer to choose when the vehicle should recharge, for how long, and at what utility rate. This technology builds on currently-available Ford features such as SYNC®, SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide and Ford Work Solutions™.
Called the “Recharge Center” of the vehicle, the driver will interface with an easy-to-use touch screen to select their recharge preferences. The Ford technology will use the knowledge of smart meters now being deployed on homes around the country, along with the vehicles communication capability for a customer to make their choices without a third party provider or subscription fees. With this, drivers could have the following choices:
- Price control – Program the vehicle to only accept a charge when electric raters are lower, such as off-peak hours.
- Charge complete – Program the charge completion end time.
- Timed charge – Schedule daily recharge start times for weekdays and weekends.
- Energy Choice – Choose the energy source for vehicle recharge (some green-minded customers may choose to pay slightly more to recharge their vehicles with renewable energy sources).
The first plug-in vehicle equipped with this technology was delivered to American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio last month. Ford is now rolling-out this technology in its entire fleet of plug-in hybrid vehicles undergoing testing at electric utility partners across the country.
At Ford, we look forward to a future where customers can choose from an array of vehicle options, to select the vehicle power mix that is right for them. While our primary focus remains on engineering the best vehicles to deliver real value to consumers, we will also continue to work with the utility industry and other key players to find the infrastructure solutions that can help accelerate the commercialization of electric vehicles.
-Nancy Gioia is Ford’s Director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. Ford will introduce a pure battery electric Transit Connect commercial van in 2010, a battery electric Focus compact car in 2011, and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and next-generation hybrid electric vehicle in 2012.
More posts on Electric Vehicles:
- Three Key Elements to ECOtality’s Electric Vehicle Project by the CEO of ECOtality.
- Want a Plug-in Hybrid Now? Luscious Garage in San Francisco is Your New Best Friend
- The 21st Century Car Industry: Why Plug-in and Electric Car Retrofits Could Fix it by Felix Kramer
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September 9th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Nancy, the S-Max is brilliant and you should get Capstone to package the generator for portable use in EVs with a propane tank so EVers can take a weekend trip to the woods or AAA can give one to a stranded EVer. You’d have to provide a through-body genset exhaust connection, an internal plug and an override for the no-charge while moving feature but this would allow EVs to be sold to single car owners who fear range limitations.
If your series PHEVs had the ability to program the battery charging to only work that minimal amount needed for the specific desired range that you enter when you start, you could use a smaller genset and minimize weight, cost and fuel use. The smaller genset would start charging early instead of waiting for battery exhaustion but could provide the same range and maximize battery usage for any desired range you program at the start of the trip. You could enter a specific # of miles or let the computer calculate range using GPS waypoints.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
PS-all of your fuel buring vehicles should have a propane fueled option to reduce both emissions and fuel cost.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Program the vehicle to only accept a charge when electric raters are lower, such as off-peak hours.
I’m not aware of North American utilities that charge end users on a TOU basis for general consumers, we’re pretty much fixed rate…
Hang on, we are going to be soon enough…
September 9th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
This vehicle-to-grid communication technology is helping the battery serve as a storage to prevent the costly blackout. That means utilities are shedding cost for additional storage facilities and ratepayers are selling electricity for peak hours so that EVs can make more economic sense, as we know.