A new study published on March 19 finds that while electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to improve power grid reliability and provide backup energy, widespread adoption of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology remains limited in the United States. The research details obstacles to V2G implementation and suggests possible solutions.
The topic is important because V2G technology could allow EV owners to supply energy back to the grid when their cars are parked, potentially earning money and supporting grid stability during peak demand periods. However, few large-scale programs exist for privately owned vehicles, with most efforts focused on fleet vehicles such as school buses.
“Most people are unfamiliar with the idea of what V2G is or how it can benefit both them and the power system more broadly,” said Serena Kim, corresponding author of the study and an assistant professor at North Carolina State University’s School of Public & International Affairs. “EVs are parked 95% of the time, and when EVs are parked they’re essentially a battery on wheels.”
Kim explained that this stored energy could be used to feed electricity back into the grid, especially during high-demand times or overnight when renewable sources like solar panels are not generating power. She added, “That battery storage can be used to feed energy back into the power grid – and EV owners can actually get paid if their vehicle is supplying energy to the grid.”
The study involved interviews with 42 stakeholders from utilities, manufacturers, governments, school districts, and EV owners who participated in pilot projects. Kim said a major finding was that “V2G adoption is a coordination problem rather than a technology problem,” describing it as a “chicken-and-egg issue” where utilities want more V2G-capable vehicles before investing in infrastructure while consumers hesitate due to unclear compensation mechanisms.
Another challenge identified by researchers is inconsistent regulations across states and localities. This patchwork makes it difficult for automakers and charging network operators to plan investments at scale. Kim said, “One key takeaway message…is that harmonizing technical standards and interconnection requirements is an essential step toward scaling V2G programs.”
The paper titled “Electric Vehicles as Grid Resources: Barriers to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) in the United States” appears in Utilities Policy. The work was supported by the National Science Foundation.
