Ford EVs will talk to powergrid
August 20, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Ford’s first electric vehicle, due mid next year, will have the capability of being able to communicate with next generation ’smart’ powergrids.
The intelligent new system will act as a sort of middle man between the plug-in vehicle and the grid. It can communicate with the grid and determine, at the owner’s discretion, the best time to recharge a vehicle’s battery according to off-peak rates.
The system can also be set to only use power from renewable sources.
Ford plans to initially test the new technology in 21 prototype plug-in hybrids, but say the technology could become a standard feature on Ford’s forthcoming electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Ford has worked closely with 10 utility companies and the US Department of Energy to develop the technology.
Although a specific date for the technology’s public launch has yet to be set, Ford’s first EV – an electric version of the Transit – will hit the market next year. An electric version of the Ford Focus will follow in 2011, followed by a plug-in hybrid in 2012.
Print it: 
Sounds like BS to me
How come there have been no spy pictures, sketches or even speculation about a car that is due next year? And from such an important company and model! This is what people want to hear about!
@Toxic_Horse
You’re right, it is TOTAL BS.
Smart Grid standards around these types of communications have not yet been developed either here or in the US. They might make it work with one provider’s grid, but it won’t work with the next.
This is just some marketing guy’s fantasy.
TH, Foggy, Ford is actively working with electricity providers across the US to give them the technology required to modify people’s meter boxes to support the smart grid system. Yes, its not out yet, neither is the EV Transit, but when it is, then electricity providers will be able to support this technology.
Baddass, go to worldcarfans.com, they have had a few articles on the EV transit.
@Tim
The problem is that the various Smart Meter manufacturers and the Intelligent Grid Device manufacturers are all using their own vastly differing proprietary message formats and functionality.
The US government has decided to wait and see how all the various Smart Grid pilot projects pan out before even trying to establish a standard.
At this stage all that Ford can do is try to influence some of the meter manufacturers to adopt their requirements, and hope that the standards body approves it as a necessary piece of functionality.
The new Territory is coming out next year, correct? Are there any spy pics floating around?
The off peak communication tech is already used in most homes to run their hot water system.
Thats not very hard to implement something for EV’s.
The whole renewable energy stuff is the BS part, not this vehicles use of the stuff.
That BS comes from the Grid, not the product proposing to use it.
All electricity on the grid is combined. Yes you can pay extra on your bill to claim you are using renewable electricity, but the ratio you use is the same as your neighbour who doesnt pay a green fee.
And we all know how electricity prices go up (fact) and this will truly just add much more to the increase and burden of a greater base of electricity users. That in combination with an ever increasing population base means not a great road ahead! THAT IS REALITY ON HOW WILL UNFOLD!