Strategies for Integrating Electric Vehicles into the Grid

Electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to reduce US transportation-sector energy use and associated emissions, as well as to support the transition to a more sustainable transportation system. Large-scale EV adoption will also create opportunities and challenges for the electric power sector. Utilities can help plan for EV growth in ways that can benefit both their business model and society at large. This report discusses five categories of utility strategies to integrate EVs into the grid: rate design, smart charging, charging station investment and ownership, vehicle purchase incentives, and coordination with state and local efforts. To show some of these strategies in action, we provide case studies of three utilities that have created multifaceted EV integration plans.