Customers must drive EV adoptionElectric vehicles (EV) are quickly becoming common among energy-efficiency enthusiasts, but these vehicles have yet to break through to the broader consumer market. But the hope is that new EV applications and higher quality vehicles will spur a consumer revolution in the not-too-distant future, and both were on display Thursday afternoon at the "Powering the People" showcase hosted by the Edison Foundation and IEE in Washington, D.C. Given their proximity to the EV market, utilities are in a unique place to help their customers realize this value. "We need to get out there are tell the story," said Debbie Korenek, a vice president at CenterPoint Energy. In doing so, utilities can help reduce their own load and foster a more engaged customer base. Distributed generation also looms as a big bonus point for customers and utilities alike. Utilities can use EVs to store and provide power to the grid, and customers can get personal benefits out of the battery power capability of their car. "There is a huge opportunity for people that need mobile power when they can't plug into the grid," said Alan Perriton, president & COO of EV manufacturer VIA Motors. This could be especially valuable for contractors, who can power tools and devices in the field. A family could use the battery power while at the beach or camping as a secondary (or primary) power source. Perriton noted that the batteries on EVs can provide virtually endless power for these applications. Customers may also soon be able to "sell" power back onto the grid and work toward zeroing out their electricity bills. Purchasing an EV is something immediate that consumers can do to help save energy and become more environmentally friendly, said Dale Bryk, director of the energy & transportation program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). This also helps utilities faced with renewable energy and emissions standards at both state and federal levels. For more: Related Articles:
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