Ford and Southern California Edison Partner to Test Smart Charging
Ford has partnered with Southern California Edison (SCE) to offer Ford EV drivers compensation for helping balance the electricity grid during peak times. The initiative is part of SCE's Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP), known as the California Power Response.
Participants in the program can earn $1 per kWh of energy reduced during peak grid events, encouraging EV owners to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours, thus stabilizing the grid. When the grid faces high demand, the program alerts Ford, which then notifies participating drivers and adjusts their vehicle's charging settings. However, drivers can override this and charge immediately if needed by using the FordPass App.
Looking ahead, the program aims to expand so participants can send energy from their car batteries back to the grid during high-demand periods.
Steve Powell, president and CEO of SCE, stated, "The future of the two-way grid is now," highlighting the importance of vehicle-to-grid integration. Bill Crider, senior director at Ford, added, "Ford's California Power Response program showcases how electric vehicles can benefit from incentives and eventually provide vehicle-to-grid services to help both customers and the broader community."
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