Ford, Honda, BMW form vehicle-to-grid company to save EV drivers money

Ford Motor Co., American Honda Motor Co. and BMW on Tuesday said they are forming a new company called ChargeScape that will create a single platform to connect electric utilities, automakers and electric vehicle customers and manage energy usage across the U.S. and Canada.

The three companies said the platform will eliminate the need for individual integrations among each automotive brand and electric utility, and allow participating EV customers to potentially save money by charging at grid-friendly times.

Participating drivers will have the opportunity to share energy stored in their EV batteries with the electric grid at peak demand times through vehicle-to-grid applications.

"Electric grid reliability and sustainability are the foundation for an EV powered future," Thomas Ruemenapp, vice president of engineering at BMW of North America, said in a statement. "ChargeScape aims to accelerate the expansion of smart charging and vehicle-to-everything solutions all over the country, while increasing customer benefits, supporting the stability of the grid and helping to maximize renewable energy usage."

The automakers said ChargeScape will help to decarbonize the grid and reduce its EV customers' personal carbon footprints by using electricity that comes from renewable energy sources such as wind or solar.

The platform will leverage automaker telematics to provide managed charge scheduling through vehicle connectivity without requiring Wi-Fi-enabled charging stations, therefore supporting EV drivers who don't use smart chargers at home.

Equally owned by the automakers, ChargeScape is expected to be operational early next year, following closing of the transaction and pending regulatory approvals. The automakers said they are open to participation from other automakers.

"Electric vehicles are unlocking entirely new benefits for customers that can save them money while supporting grid resiliency and increase the use of clean, renewable energy," Bill Crider, Ford's global head of charging and energy services, said in a statement. "ChargeScape will help accelerate the true potential of the EV revolution by providing significant benefits to both utilities and EV customers through smart vehicle-to-grid services."

ChargeScape's formation comes as automakers and electric utilities prepare for the adoption of more EVs, triggering a greater electricity demand on utilities to charge them.

In July, a group of seven automakers — including BMW, Honda and General Motors — formed a joint venture to install at least 30,000 EV chargers along major highways and in cities.

"With automakers accelerating toward the electrified future, we must find solutions like ChargeScape that enable all stakeholders to work together for the good of our customers, society and our industry by enabling greater use of renewable energy for and from mobility," Jay Joseph, vice president of sustainability and business development at American Honda, said in a statement.