Just 10% of California’s EVs could provide 9 GW of grid power

A new report suggests that electric vehicles parked in California driveways could become a major source of grid power. If just 10% of the state's expected EVs enrolled in "vehicle-to-grid" (V2G) programs by 2036, they could supply about 9 gigawatts of electricity for 12 hours straight. V2G lets a compatible EV send power from its battery back into the grid when demand is high, then recharge later when electricity is cheaper, often during sunny midday hours when solar power is abundant.

The idea is that EVs, along with home batteries, smart thermostats, and water heaters, could help California handle electricity demand without building as many new power plants or expensive grid upgrades. The catch is that the technology exists, but the programs to use it don't work well together. Rules, payment structures, and enrollment requirements differ from utility to utility, which makes it hard for EV owners to participate. The report calls for standardized programs and payment based on the actual grid benefit a customer provides, rather than a flat fee just for signing up. It also recommends paying participants less than the full value utilities save, so people without an EV or battery share in the savings too.

None of this is available yet as a program you can join. It depends on your EV, charger, and utility all supporting V2G, plus interconnection rules that vary by location. But even simpler "smart charging," where your EV charges automatically during cheaper off-peak hours instead of during the evening rush, is already something some utilities encourage.