An SGCC Guide Connecting the Smart Car to the Smart Grid

1. Electric Vehicle 101
An SGCC Guide Connecting the Smart Car
to the Smart Grid

2. Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative
SGCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose threefold objective
is to listen to consumers via primary consumer research, to
collaborate with stakeholders via hosted events and shared best
practices, and to educate consumers via outreach and messaging
toolkits.
Additionally, SGCC serves as a trusted source of information for
industry stakeholders seeking a broad understanding of consumers’
views about grid modernization, electricity delivery, and energy
usage, and for consumers seeking an understanding of the value and
experience of a modern electrical grid.

3. HISTORY OF
ELECTRIC VEHICLES

4. The First Ever Electric Vehicle
Contrary to popular belief, the first-ever
electric vehicle made its debut in the 1800s –
around the same time that batteries and
electric motors were introduced.
In 1890, an Iowan chemist named William
Morrison, constructed a six passenger car with
a maximum speed of 14mph –making it the
first successful electric car in the U.S.
Although in today’s world, 14 mph is laughably
slow, such a speed mirrored the average pace
of horse-drawn carriages that were the
popular mode of transportation at the time.
Shortly after, in 1898, Ferdinand Porsche
introduced his version of an electric car called
the P1.

5. Gradual Obsolescence of the EV
Following the debut of Henry Ford’s
iconic Model T, sales of EVs began to
plummet.
Consumers preferred the $675 price
tag of the Model T, instead of the hefty
$1,750 of the standard EV.
The discovery of crude oil in Texas, and
the sudden prevalence of gas stations
across the nation, made gas readily
accessible.
By 1935, electric cars had become
obsolete.

6. THE RESURGENCE
OF EVS

7. EVENTS THAT
HELPED TO REVIVE
THE EV INDUSTRY
Passing of the Electric and
Hybrid Vehicle Research,
Development, and
Demonstration Act of
1976
Passing of the 190
Clean Air Act
Amendment and the
1992 Energy Policy Act
The release of the
Toyota Prius – the first-
ever mass produced
hybrid EV – in 2000.
The 2006 startup of
Tesla Motors out of
Silicon Valley.

8. TO BUY
OR NOT TO BUY?

9. PROS
CONS
4.) Lower maintenance (no oil
changes, no emissions checks, and
no tune-ups)
1.) No tailpipe emissions
2.) Reduced dependency on oil
3.) Extremely convenient (you
can simply charge your battery
at home instead of having to
constantly fill up at the gas
station)
1.) Limited Range
(EV automakers are continuously
increasing the range of their newer
models)
2.) Long Refueling Time
(owners are advised to
charge their vehicles
during the night)

10. POPULAR
MODELS

11. 2016 CHEVY VOLT
Hybrid SedanEstimated
Range Total
of 420
Guaranteed
50 miles of
electric range
before gas
engine kicks in
Accelerates
from 0 to 60
in 7.8
seconds!
Ability to
increase electric
mile range by
manually
increasing
regenerative
braking

12. 2016 NISSAN LEAF
ALL ELECTRIC HATCHBACK SEDAN
Accelerates
from 0 to
60 in 10.2
seconds!
Takes as
little as four
hours to
fully charge!
Two battery-pack
options
24-kWh: offers 87
electric miles on a
single charge
30-kWh: offers
107 electric miles
on a single charge
Energy efficient
LED lights
significantly
reduces wind
noise and drag
by redirecting
airflow

13. 2016 TESLA MODEL S
ALL ELECTRIC SEDANAccelerates
from 0 to 60
in 5.5
seconds!
Advanced versions
are equipped with
an autopilot
feature that allows
for the car to park
itself in the garage
Powertrains:
Base level S70:
234 electric mile
range; 89 MPGe
70D: 240 electric
mile range; 101
MPGe
Powertrains:
90D: 294 electric
mile range; 103
MPGe
P90D: 270
electric mile
range; 95 MPGe

14. EV SMART
GRID INTERACTION

15. EVs are the perfect storage unit because…
They Have Ample
Amount of Energy
Storage
They can store as much
as three days’ worth of
the average home’s daily
consumption
They Have Easy
Access for
Control Signals
Direct communication with
the grid allows for them to
be able to readily store and
discharge energy when
needed
They are
Geographically
Dispersed
Instead of being in a
permanent location
like wind turbines or
solar panels EVs can
change location at any
given timeThey act as
an
emergency
power
source
They ease
congestion
during peak
demand
hours

16. CHARGING YOUR
ELECTRIC VEHICLE

17. HOME CHARGING PUBLIC CHARGING
• Pay-as-you-go
• Depending on the
charging station, the cost
per kWh may vary.
• Monthly Subscriptions
• Free
• The most convenient and
practical option that
illustrates the cost
efficiency of EVs.
Through the use of Electric Vehicle
Service Equipment (EVSE), EV
owners are able to conveniently
charge their vehicles throughout
the night during off-peak hours.
• EVSEs allow for EV owners to
connect (charge) their vehicles
to a 240-volt electric outlet.
• It is important to install the
EVSE in a convenient location
that is easily accessible.
• It is recommended that the
EVSE outlet be portable instead
of permanently mounted to a
wall.

18. U.S. DOE’S EV CHARGING STATION LOCATION MAP

19. EV UTILITY
RATE PLANS

20. FIVE STEPS TO GETTING THE BEST UTILITY RATES
1. Consult your local utility company to get advice on which rate plan is
the best fit (They will advise that the EV be charged during times that
are the most efficient for the grid).
2. To ensure the lowest rate possible, consider getting a time-of-use
(TOU) plan and charge during off-peak hours (throughout the night).
3. Double check to make sure that the EV is not charging during peak
demand hours. Utility companies increase the rates considerably
during the day when they know the demand will be at its highest.
4. TOU plans are generally always the best plan for EV drivers/owners.
5. Think twice about installing a separate meter unit that monitors
charging. Estimates show that an EV will add about 350 kWh of
energy usage to one’s account in a typical month – potentially
doubling or even tripling your rate.
The cost for charging an EV depends on when it’s charged, where it’s
charged, and the rate plan the owner has chosen.

21. FUTURE OF
EV INDUSTRY

22. There are
currently more
than 23 plug-in
electric and 36
hybrid vehicle
options in the
U.S.
There are
currently more
than 234,000
plug in EVs and
3.3 million
hybrids on U.S.
roads today.
We could
potentially reduce
our dependence on
foreign oil by 30%-
60%.
We could lower the
carbon pollution
from the
transportation
sector by more than
20%.

23. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SMART GRID, VISIT THESE SGCC
RESOURCES:
Consumer Benefits of the Smart Grid
http://www.whatissmartgrid.org/smart-grid-101/consumer-benefits
Smart Grid FAQs
http://smartgridcc.org/research/smart-grid-faq/
Smart Grid Glossary
http://www.whatissmartgrid.org/smart-grid-101/smart-grid-glossary