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Hybrid Cars Impact on National Power Grid Disputed Recharge at Night

New plug-in hybrid cars and trucks might be capable of dramatically reduce the aggregate impact on national power generation resources if they are charged at night, a new government study by DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory reports.

The study explored the potential impact of an expected boom in ownership of hybrid cars and trucks on the nation’s power grid. It found that the answer largely depends on what time of day or night the vehicles are charged. A recent item that appeared in Oak Ridge’s research publication described the findings”

“Some assessments of the impact of electric vehicles assume owners will charge them only at night, while onsumers may be more included to plug in when convenient. Utilities will need to create incentives to encourage people to recharge when system loads are low. Technologies such as “smart” chargers can optimize charging for both the owner and the utility.”