Toyota Expands Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Research with San Diego Gas & Electric Company Collaboration

Rhea-AI Summary

Toyota (TM) and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) collaborate on V2G research for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) using Toyota bZ4X, focusing on customer experience, business model, and technology aspects. V2G technology enables bidirectional power flow, potentially supporting energy reliability, resilience, renewable integration, and reduced electricity costs. Understanding BEV owners' needs and charging habits is crucial for widespread V2G adoption.

Positive

• V2G technology has the potential to support customer needs through improved energy reliability and resilience, the integration of renewables, and the possibility of reduced electricity costs.

Negative

• None.

• Research to focus on the customer experience, business model and technology aspects of V2G using the Toyota bZ4X to explore how EVs support both customers and the grid
• SDG&E research collaboration location to feature bidirectional charger onsite
• SDG&E's service territory represents one of the largest Toyota BEV and PHEV ownership markets

PLANO, Texas and SAN DIEGO, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor North America (Toyota) and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), a Southern California-based public utility that serves 3.7 million people, announced today that they have agreed to collaborate on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) research for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) using a Toyota bZ4X. The V2G research will explore bidirectional power flow technology that enables BEV owners to both charge their vehicle's batteries from the electric grid and discharge electricity from the batteries back to the grid. V2G technology has the potential to support customer needs through improved energy reliability and resilience, the integration of renewables, and the possibility of reduced electricity costs.

Understanding the needs of BEV owners, their charging habits, and when they use their vehicles will be crucial in driving widespread adoption of V2G. Nearly 80 percent of owners currently charge their BEVs at home overnight, when grid demand is lower. With bidirectional capability, these vehicles could send power back to the grid during peak demand hours or at other critical times, such as during rotating outages due to shortage in electricity supplies. The collaboration between SDG&E and Toyota's Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions (EVCS) team aims to find synergies between the needs of BEV owners and the needs of the electricity grid, as well as explore how to communicate with BEV owners about the potential benefits of bidirectional capabilities.

SDG&E's service territory, which encompasses 25 communities in San Diego and southern Orange Counties, represents one of the largest Toyota BEV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ownership regions in California. The Golden State is the fastest-growing EV market in the nation, making it an excellent area in which to conduct this research.

"We are embracing the concept of an entire electrified ecosystem for our customers, and the ability for vehicles to integrate with the grid is an essential component of this ecosystem," said Christopher Yang, group vice president, Toyota EV Charging Solutions. "Working with leading utilities, such as SDG&E, will ensure that customers can continue to confidently charge at home. Toyota seeks to empower utilities to better anticipate and leverage the significant number of plug-in hybrid and BEVs on their grids, both as a growing source of energy demand and, in the future, energy supply."

"V2G has the potential to be a game changer for the power grid and for consumers, and we're proud to partner with Toyota to advance this technology," said SDG&E Chief Commercial Officer Miguel Romero. "Together, we're forging new pathways toward a sustainable and resilient energy future for our customers and the communities we serve."

The V2G research will take place at SDG&E's campus in San Diego, California, using Fermata Energy's bidirectional charger and V2G platform. SDG&E employs a highly knowledgeable clean transportation team that has implemented a variety of EV charging infrastructure programs. To date, the company has installed more than 3,600 chargers at workplaces, schools, and parks, as well as industrial and commercial facilities. SDG&E has already electrified more than 20 percent of its over-the-road fleet and works closely with many fleet operators to help them transition to EV fleets.

With insight gained from the V2G research collaboration, SDG&E and Toyota aim to identify current and future customer benefits that can be achieved through new products and services. The pilot will also assist SDG&E in understanding the infrastructure needed to enable the rapid growth of EV charging infrastructure, both in public and private settings, and to further stabilize the power grid during peak hours.

Currently, Toyota offers two mass-market BEVs in the U.S. and Canada – the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ 450e. Toyota recently announced plans for an all-new three-row BEV SUV that will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in 2025. By 2030, Toyota aspires to offer 30 BEV models globally across its Toyota and Lexus brand nameplates and produce up to 3.5 million BEVs annually.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota's 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 26 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

For Toyota customer inquiries, please call 800-331-4331.

About SDG&E
SDG&E is an innovative energy delivery company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by increasing energy delivered from low or zero-carbon sources; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; and investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region's infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE). For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on X (previously known as Twitter) (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.

Media Contacts:
Toyota: 
Josh Burns
Joshua.Burns@Toyota.com

SDG&E: 
Humberto Gurmilan
HGurmila@sdge.com
(619) 823-0951

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

FAQ

What is the focus of the collaboration between Toyota and SDG&E?

The collaboration focuses on V2G research for BEVs using Toyota bZ4X, exploring bidirectional power flow technology and its potential to support customer needs.

How can V2G technology benefit BEV owners and the electricity grid?

V2G technology can benefit BEV owners by potentially reducing electricity costs and supporting energy reliability, resilience, and renewable integration. It can also help the electricity grid by providing power during peak demand hours and critical times.

What is the significance of understanding BEV owners' charging habits in V2G adoption?

Understanding BEV owners' charging habits is crucial for widespread V2G adoption, as it can help determine when vehicles can send power back to the grid to support energy needs.

What is the potential impact of V2G technology on grid reliability?

V2G technology has the potential to improve grid reliability by providing power during peak demand hours and critical times, such as during rotating outages due to electricity supply shortages.