Texas-based energy provider, TXU Energy, and automotive giant, Ford Motor Company, plan to lower the expenses of electric vehicle (EV) charging at home.
Ford Motor Company is making strides in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, with several partnerships aimed at promoting EV benefits, removing barriers, and increasing grid resiliency.
In a recent development, Ford CEO Jim Farley announced that during Hurricane Beryl blackouts in Texas, Ford EV owners utilised bidirectional charging, a feature available in the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck. This innovation not only helped Ford owners during the power outage but also demonstrated the potential of EVs to support a more sustainable, resilient electrical grid.
One of Ford's partners in this endeavour is TXU Energy. The partnership aligns with TXU Energy's strategy to educate customers on EV benefits, remove barriers, and increase grid resiliency. As part of the collaboration, Ford and TXU Energy are working together to offset charging costs for electric Ford SUV and truck owners.
Ford Motor Co. has also partnered with ev.energy to minimise home charging electricity costs for electric Ford SUVs and pickups, particularly during the preferred hours from 7:00 PM to 1:00 PM the next day. Eligible Ford owners will receive a 100% credit on their electric bill for energy used to charge their EVs during these hours.
The Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck's bidirectional charging capability allows it to not only charge from the grid but also send energy back to the grid, creating a virtual power plant. This feature could be particularly beneficial during peak demand periods, helping to ease the strain on the electrical grid.
Moreover, the majority of EV charging (up to 90%) occurs overnight at home, according to the Department of Energy. By incentivising EV customers to curb the demand for charging during peak times, partnerships like the one between Ford and TXU Energy could help manage the electrical grid more effectively.
In another partnership, Ford has collaborated with Duke Energy in North Carolina for a sustainability program. The Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck can power a home during a power outage, providing an additional benefit to EV owners.
Bill Crider, senior director of global charging and energy services at Ford, stated that the program helps save money while supporting a more sustainable, resilient electrical grid. Sam Sen, VP of Energy Transition Solutions at TXU Energy, made the statement in the release, emphasising the partnership's aim to help with Texas's strained electrical grid by incentivising EV customers to curb the demand for charging during peak times.
The Free EV Miles program, while not explicitly mentioning bidirectional charging, could also contribute to the overall goal of promoting EV adoption and grid resiliency. As cost is a significant barrier to EV adoption, the money-saving program could attract more car buyers to EVs.
In conclusion, Ford's partnerships with various utilities and energy providers are a significant step towards promoting EV adoption, removing barriers, and increasing grid resiliency. The bidirectional charging capability of the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck, in particular, offers a promising solution for managing peak demand and supporting a more sustainable electrical grid.
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