Ford plans vehicles to interact with power grids

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday its future electric cars will “talk” to power grids across the country, part of an effort to drive interest in alternative energy vehicles.

The nation’s second-largest automaker released details of a two-year collaboration with about a dozen utility companies as well as the Department of Energy on the design of a system that allows car owners to control when they charge vehicles and for how long.

Owners can choose to recharge at off-peak times when electricity is cheaper, or when wind, solar or renewable energy is driving the grid, said Nancy Gioia, director of Ford’s sustainable mobility technologies division. “What we’re doing is developing our capability.”

Ford and the utility companies are testing the system and have logged 75,000 miles on a test fleet. The goal is to have a network in place so drivers can recharge their cars at preset times at home, work or elsewhere.

AP