If the electric car movement is going go mainstream it’s going to need some serious infrastructure.  In that effort, Ford Motor Company has announced that it has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that “talks” directly with the nation’s electric grid.

This new technology allows the vehicle operator to program when to recharge the vehicle, for how long and at what utility rate.

When plugged in, the battery systems of specially equipped plug-in hybrids can communicate directly with the electrical grid via smart meters provided by utility companies through wireless networking.  The owner uses the vehicle’s touch screen navigation interface and Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer to choose when the vehicle should recharge, for how long and at what utility rate.  Most people realize that it’s often cheaper to do their laundry at midnight, or during off-peak hours to take advantage of lower electric rates.  The new Ford control system will allow vehicle owners to choose to accept a charge (cars are parked 95% of the time) only during off-peak hours, or when the grid is using only renewable energy such as wind or solar power.

Ford will be introducing the charging management technology into future electric models of the Focus and in its fleet of plug-in Escape hybrids used by its power company partners.

source: Ford Motor Company press release