Utilities need upgrades for plug-in cars

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - Preparing AmericaÂ’s neighborhoods to handle the additional power that electric vehicles are expected to require is among the challenges facing the utility and automotive industries as plug-in electric vehicles are introduced, DTE Energy Chairman Tony Earley said.

Almost every major automaker plans to introduce an electric car over the next three years, even though many questions about the technology remain.

Earley said the nationÂ’s power plants and major power lines are capable of providing adequate electricity to meet the additional demand but the power lines in neighborhoods need to be upgraded.

With most plug-in electric vehicles expected to cost $40,000 or more, “We can pretty much guess what neighborhoods are going to buy these vehicles,” Earley said during a panel discussion on electric vehicles in Detroit hosted by Inforum.

“You will see breakers trip and you will see transformers burn out,” Earley said.

In addition to those challenges, panelists from General Motors, Chrysler and Ford acknowledged there are many other issues facing electric cars, including the cost of the lithium-ion batteries and the need for common standards.

Still, a consensus emerged that all of those problems can be solved. In fact, this year GM plans to introduce the extended-range Chevrolet Volt and Ford Motor plans to introduce an electric Transit Connect commercial van.

“This is an idea whose time has come and the technology is emerging to match it,” Earley said.

Related News

ontario powerlines

Ontario Providing Support for Industrial and Commercial Electricity Consumers During COVID-19

TORONTO - Through an emergency order passed today, the Ontario government is taking steps to defer a portion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for industrial and commercial electricity consumers that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan for the period starting from April 2020. This initiative is intended to provide companies with temporary immediate relief on their monthly electricity bills in April, May and June 2020. The government intends to keep this emergency order in place until May 31, 2020, and subsequent regulatory amendments would, if approved, provide for the deferral of these charges for June 2020 as well.

This…

READ MORE
ev impact

Energy storage poised to tackle grid challenges from rising EVs as mobile chargers bring new flexibility

READ MORE

uk wind farm

UK windfarms generate record amount of electricity during Storm Malik

READ MORE

Federal Government announces funding for Manitoba-Saskatchewan power line

READ MORE

texas utility worker

Texas utility companies waiving fees; city has yet to act

READ MORE