Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles(PHEVs) require charging either at home or at future charging stations.  Most electric companies have variable rates depending on the time of day and when electricity is most in demand.  Nissan and Ford have found ways for their EVs and PHEVs to limit charging times to the lowest rates.

Since EVs and PHEVs carry higher price tags because of the high cost of battery packs, it is nice to see that at least two car makers are building in some cost reduction measures.  Both Ford and Nissan have built programmable charging into their vehicles.

Nissan allows car owners to program when their EV charges.  This allows owners to program charging times during off-peak hours.  Nissan EVs will also have an on-board instrument for locating the closest charging station when your EV is running low.  The status of the cars charging can be checked by computer or by mobile phone and a message telling you when it is at full charge can be sent to your email.

Ford’s system for its PHEVs allows programming charging times but it also has added features.  Unlike Nissan, Ford PHEVs will be able to “communicate” with the grid so that owners can not only program a specific time for on/off car charging but can also program in specific rate parameters for charging.  The user interface will also let you choose to use electricity generated from renewable resources when available.

Ford’s is currently working with utility companies across the country to put its system in place.  Since the cars will be communicating with the electric grid using wireless  smart meters (utility supplied) the system is more intricate and involved than Nissan’s.  Anything that requires the collaboration between automakers and utility companies will require more time, equipment and effort to produce than a process that only requires installing a timer.

Since Ford is working with utility companies to get smart meter technology and cars to talk, it would make sense for other manufacturers (at least in the US) to either adopt Ford’s technology, or develop similar technology for their own EVs and PHEVs.

Nissan’s approach may be the simpler of the two to implement, but it still gets the job done while working world wide.  Both car companies are looking forward to the implementation of a charging infrastructure that will enable their cars to “fill up” when out and about.

So far Ford and Nissan, are the only car makers to have a system in place to allow control of charging times.  This seems like such an obvious concept to put into place, why haven’t other automakers implemented programmable charging as well?

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Entry was posted on Friday, August 21st, 2009 at 6:42 pm under Auto, Green Technology.

Read more entries by Susan Wilson.
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