- BMW, Ford, Nissan, and Honda’s joint US vehicle-to-grid (V2G) alliance, ChargeScape, has partnered with Nissan to launch a new V2G pilot, taking place over the area covered by energy provider Silicon Valley Power.
- The local energy provider for this technology hotspot is already exploring ways to reduce demand on the grid in the area, with Silicon Valley’s various data centres and servers already requiring a high amount of power where V2G-capable EVs could assist supply.
- The pilot will take place at Nissan’s Advanced Technology Center in Silicon Valley.
Silicon Valley trials V2G as more countries look to adopt the technology
Under the pilot, Nissan EVs parked up and plugged in at its Advanced Technology Center in the area will give back to the grid during times of higher electricity demand. This bidirectional charging will take place courtesy of charge points supplied by Fermata Energy.
With this pilot, it’s clear that Nissan and ChargeScape want to see if V2G technology has the potential to play a much wider role in the U.S., both for domestic drivers and fleets, as more drivers make the switch to electric. It was, after all, Nissan’s European division that has already committed to rolling out V2G compatibility on ‘selected’ production models from 2026.
In other parts of the world, V2G is already becoming commercially available. In the UK, for instance, Octopus Electric Vehicles recently launched a leasing and energy tariff bundle which combines a V2G-capable BYD Dolphin EV with a V2G home charger, giving the opportunity for owners to slash EV running costs to zero in some cases, by giving back energy during times of demand.
Rich Miller, Vice President of Vehicle Connected Services at Nissan U.S., commented:
“Through this collaboration, we’re showcasing how electric vehicles can reinforce our communities’ electrical needs and deliver meaningful benefits to drivers.”
Joseph Vellone, CEO of ChargeScape
“AI is a fundamental component of American Dynamism, and our nation’s power grids must quickly adapt to supply data centers with the energy needed to maintain America’s competitive edge in places like Silicon Valley.
Integrating Nissan’s EV batteries into Silicon Valley Power’s grid is a crucial first step to shoring up long-term grid reliability and rewarding the EV drivers who are part of the solution.”
