PG & E is expanding its bidirectional EV charging pilots, a program for customers to give incentives of at least $2,500.
California Utility Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will be expanding the public testing of the two-way charging of electric vehicles with three pilot programs that can include up to 1,000 residential customers.
According to PG & E, each pilot program will offer financial incentives for the participating customers, and additional benefits for disadvantaged communities. The three programs are expected to be available to customers in 2022 and 2023 and will continue until incentives run out.
“As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, bidirectional charging technology has huge potential for broadly supporting our customers and the electric grid. We’re excited to launch these new pilots, which will add to our existing work testing and demonstrate the possibility of this technology,” said Jason Glickman, PG&E’s Executive Vice President, Engineering, Planning & Strategy.
PG&E will test bidirectional charging technology in various settings, including in homes, businesses and with local microgrids in select high fire-threat districts (HFTDs).
PG&E’s Bidirectional Charging Pilot Programs
- Through the pilot with residential customers – This pilot will open to up to 1,000 residential customers who will receive $2,500 upon enrollment and an additional $2,175 depending on their participation.
- The pilot with business customers will open to approximately 200 business customers who will receive $2,500 upon enrollment and up to an additional $3,625 depending on their participation.
- The microgrid pilot – Customers will receive $2,500 upon enrollment and up to an additional $3,750 depending on their participation.
The pilot programs will explore how well EVs––from light-duty vehicles to heavy-duty ones–can provide backup power during outages.
The company said that the new pilot programs are separate and in addition to the collaboration announced in March with both General Motors and Ford.
