BMW and PG&E prepares renewable energy based electric grid for electric vehicles
BMW Group and Pacific Gas & Electric are rolling out a plan of how electric vehicles could support the integration of renewable energy on the electric grid.
The ChargeForward program is open to PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) customers who drive a BMW electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
Around 3,000 drivers can sign up voluntarily to allow their vehicle to be ‘smart charged’ when electricity demand is low and renewable energy availability is high.
The program is one of the longest-running partnerships between an electric utility and an automaker.
The ChargePoint program aims to take advantage of the ample renewable resources available during the day and reduce GHG emissions in the process.
“Let’s assume someone plugs in at home on a Saturday morning at 9 am and sets their departure time for 4 pm that day,” Adam Langton, BMW’s Energy Services manager explained the ChargePoint Program.
