Connecting vehicles to smart systems.
Leo McCloskey is a vice president with Airbiquity Inc., which operates a global vehicle connectivity network.
Technology research firm Gartner recently released a report about electric vehicles (EV) that predicted an increase in EV adoption in the near future, and noted that utilities should be proactively involved in developing EV charging infrastructure and billing systems. Further, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates there are at least 722 electric car charging stations in the U.S. today, and transportation experts estimate that plug-in hybrids and EVs will capture 10 to 20 percent of the auto market by 2030. It’s clear that utilities need to begin planning for increased EV adoption.
With both smart grid and EV markets evolving rapidly, utilities must consider EV interaction with the grid when evaluating and planning for infrastructure and technology needs. Many EVs contain innovative information and communication technology (ICT) systems that allow car owners to track battery charging and use, activate remote services and locate charging stations. Soon, these capabilities will be extended to include interaction with systems for locating and reserving electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE), and to invoice appropriately for charging services.