VGIC Press Release

The Vehicle-Grid Integration Council is Ready to Advance Vehicle-Grid Integration following California Executive Order N-79-20

Berkeley, Calif- October 1, 2020: On September 23, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20 issued a call to “prioritize clean transportation solutions that are accessible to all Californians.” The Vehicle-Grid Integration Council (VGIC) looks forward to collaborating with key stakeholders in California and beyond to ensure that as clean transportation policies are developed, they are done so in complement with the electric grid to ensure clean, electrified transportation is not only accessible, but delivered in a way that benefits electric vehicle (EV) owners, rate payers, the electric grid, utilities, and environment.

Achieving California’s ambitious transportation electrification goals will require a broad toolkit, including the emerging set of strategies related to Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI). These strategies can include new rates, tariffs, programs, and market options to promote a full menu of VGI tools, including managed charging, time-of-use EV rates, EV demand response programs, vehicle-to-building charging, or fully bi-directional “V2G” grid services. At every level, VGI offers unique values that can unlock new opportunities to support the grid and further incentivize EV ownership.

“The VGIC is excited to continue our work with the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, and others to advance the market for vehicle-grid integration (VGI) applications. VGI can lower the cost for everyday consumers to own and operate an electric vehicle while providing value to the grid- a total win-win. California is at the forefront of developing VGI policy. What we do here to accelerate intelligent grid-EV integration can serve as a model for the rest of the country,” says Ed Burgess, VGIC Policy Director.

VGIC is especially encouraged by provisions # 3 and #4 in the Executive Order and looks forward to providing inputs to the Market Development Strategy and to supporting the accelerated deployment of affordable charging options in ways that serve all communities. The VGIC believes that lowering the overall cost of ownership of electric vehicles through thoughtful rate design for EV charging is critical to increasing EV sales.  

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About the Vehicle-Grid Integration Council

Vehicle Grid Integration Council (VGIC) is a national 501(c)(6) membership-based advocacy group committed to advancing the role of EVs and flexible EV charging and discharging through policy development, education, outreach, and research. VGIC members and supporters include American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Connect California LLC, Enel X North America, Inc., Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, Nissan North America, Inc., Nuvve Corporation, Toyota Motor North America, and The Mobility House. Visit www.vgicouncil.org.