Toyota and Pepco team up to research Vehicle-to-Grid technology

Toyota Motor North America (Toyota) and local energy utility Pepco have joined forces to explore the potential of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This collaboration will utilise a Toyota bZ4X to examine how BEVs can not only charge their batteries but also feed power back into the local electricity grid.

V2G technology offers promising advantages for both EV owners and the electricity grid. By enabling bidirectional power flow, V2G could enhance energy reliability and resilience, facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, and potentially even reduce electricity costs for consumers.

A key aspect of this research is understanding the charging habits and vehicle usage patterns of EV owners. Currently, nearly 80% of EV owners charge their vehicles at home overnight, coinciding with periods of lower energy demand. V2G technology could allow these vehicles to return power to the grid during peak usage times or critical events, such as severe weather.

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"Bidirectional charging offers a fantastic way for customers to leverage their electric vehicles to support the grid and their home energy needs," said Christopher Yang, group vice president of Toyota EV Charging Solutions. "This collaboration with Pepco will provide valuable insights into charging and discharging use cases, ultimately benefiting both our customers and utility providers in understanding grid demands."

Maryland is a national leader in EV adoption, aiming to have 300,000 EVs on the road by 2025. Pepco is actively supporting this initiative by installing 250 EV chargers across Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. Additionally, Maryland became the first state to enact V2G legislation in April 2024 with the passing of HB 1256, also known as the DRIVE Act. This act requires utilities to develop processes for interconnecting with bidirectional chargers.

"Pepco is at the forefront of the energy transformation in our communities by embracing technologies that drive the clean energy transition," said Tyler Anthony, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings. "V2G technology aligns with our roadmap for a successful and equitable energy transition. This collaboration with Toyota allows us to gain a deeper understanding of V2G's impact on the grid, our customers, and overall service reliability. Together, we can build a more sustainable and resilient future for the communities we serve."

The V2G research will be conducted at Pepco's Watershed Sustainability Centre in Montgomery County, Maryland, utilising a bidirectional charger. Pepco will lead the project, designing and evaluating various EV charging and discharging scenarios with the potential to benefit both the grid and customers. The project will also provide Pepco with valuable insights into the infrastructure required to support the rapid growth of EV charging infrastructure and the complexities of integrating large numbers of V2G assets into the grid. This knowledge will be crucial for Pepco to prepare for the implementation of the DRIVE Act and support customer adoption of V2G technology.

Toyota is committed to advancing electric vehicle technology. Currently, they offer two mass-market BEVs in North America, the Toyota bZ4X and the Lexus RZ. They recently announced plans to manufacture two new all-electric three-row SUVs in the United States. By 2030, Toyota aims to offer 30 BEV models globally and produce up to 3.5 million BEVs annually.