Mitsubishi and NewMotion have teamed up with other technology partners to trial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, testing systems to help ease the load on the National Grid at peak times.
Much has been made of the potential for increased numbers of electric vehicles charging at the same time to create too much demand on the UK’s power supplies – especially during the evenings when electicity usage is already at its highest.
Mitsunishi, the makers of the best-selling Outlander PHEV, and charging experts NewMotion have joined forces with V2G charge point firm Enel, grid operator TenneT, and technology specialist Nuvve to test its combined systems.
All Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs are already capable of returning power to the grid from its battery via a V2G charge point, drawing power only when electricity demand is lower.
Similar systems are also being trialled by Nissan, which has also partnered with Enel and is part of the same manufacturer alliance that includes Renault too.
The group has considerable electric vehicle expertise to draw on, and the partnerships with supporting technology companies looks set to present the EV as a solution to a problem that electric vehicles could create.
NewMotion-CEO Sytse Zuidema: “There is a shift towards more and more renewable energy such as wind and solar, but both sources are still too dependent on the weather and therefore variable and volatile. With V2G-technology, we turn parked electric vehicles – at home and at work – into power service providers and energy buffers.
“They can save a surplus of energy and return energy to the grid at a peak time. This results in more stability and security. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a real front-runner by embracing V2G and using the technology in its PHEV. Together with our partners we want to show that V2G is easy to implement and can make a huge difference to the electricity grid as well as electric vehicle user’s wallets.”
You can find EV charge points compatible with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV by using the model filters on Zap-Map desktop and app.
