Abstract
Electric vehicles (EVs) are proliferating rapidly in California, with now over 1.8 million operating in the state. Battery charging loads can stress local electricity distribution feeders, particularly in the early evening when power use typically peaks. Many EVs now, and many more in the future will have bidirectional or vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability, meaning their large battery packs can be discharged for a variety of uses—from providing backup power to homes and businesses to providing a larger set of grid services including supporting local voltages and 60 Hertz cycle frequency. This brief provides an overview of bidirectional charging and policy considerations for supporting its increased use.
