OGM Teams With Dozens of Utilities on Plug-In Cars

wsj.cim ^ | 7/22/2008 | REBECCA SMITH and JOHN STOLL

[shove_it]

Three dozen electric utilities and General Motors Corp. agreed to collaborate on smoothing a path for a plug-in electric vehicle that is slated to roll out in about two years.

The collaboration is the first major effort by the two industries on an electric vehicle and includes some of the biggest names in the power sector, so far spanning utilities that operate in nearly 40 states: American Electric Power Co., Austin Energy, Consolidated Edison Inc., Dominion Resources Inc., Duke Energy Corp., DTE Energy Co., Edison International, New York Power Authority, PG&E Corp., Progress Energy Inc. and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., to name a few.

[...]

After more than a century of relying on gasoline as the main fuel for automobiles, GM and its rivals are scrambling to diversify energy sources. The Chevy Volt, due in late 2010, is intended to be the boldest effort yet, designed to run at full speed for at least 40 miles solely on lithium-ion batteries. Unless plugged in for a recharge, the gasoline engine kicks in at that point.

[...]

At the most basic level, intelligence that will be embedded in the cars in the form of computer chips and software needs to be met with equal intelligence on the utility side. That way, a car that plugs into a garage electric outlet will be recognized as a car by the utility and recharged when it is best for the electric system and, perhaps, at a price that will be lower for cars than other appliances...

[shove_it]

Headline should be “GM ...”

[RoadTest]

The inmates are running the asylum.

[The Great RJ]

Now if someone would just figure out how the US electrical grid will support more than a hand full of these rechargeable vehicles without building more power plants or filling up most of the farm land in the Midwest with windmills.

[Charles Martel]

At the most basic level, intelligence that will be embedded in the cars in the form of computer chips and software needs to be met with equal intelligence on the utility side. That way, a car that plugs into a garage electric outlet will be recognized as a car by the utility and recharged when it is best for the electric system and, perhaps, at a price that will be lower for cars than other appliances...

Seems that this will require a high-tech electric meter as well, or a separately-metered garage circuit. I don't buy that "perhaps for a lower price" line of bull for an instant. Sure, the utilities want to know how much electricity is used to charge your car - so the government can apply road-use taxes, just as with traditional motor fuels.

[Dixie Yooper]

Both the Volt and Camaro are due out in 2010. I wonder what Toyota will call these two cars once they acquire GM in 2009? Prius II and Supra maybe?

[Dixie Yooper]

Now if someone would just figure out how the US electrical grid will support more than a hand full of these rechargeable vehicles without building more power plants or filling up most of the farm land in the Midwest with windmills

Why limit windmills to just the Midwest? Force them down everyone's throats. Same goes for nuke plants. Whatever it takes to keeps cars and trucks rolling on our road system is paramount to transportation and the success of our Nations economy. If you can't see the forest because of trees, cut the trees down.

[listenhillary]

Good point.

[Joan Kerrey]

Both the Volt and Camaro are due out in 2010. I wonder what Toyota will call these two cars once they acquire GM in 2009?
++++++++++++++++++
Voltason and Camaroson

[Dixie Yooper]

Voltason and Camaroson

If the Chinese get GM, it will be the "Lucky" and "Star".

[Sawdring]

People will be plugging their cars in for the night at peak demand. Between 3:00 and 6:00 is when everyone’s air conditioners, ovens, microwaves, washers and dryers are running. when you have high temperatures already causing strain on the US electrical grid and add millions of charging car batteries to the mix, what will happen if you don’t add more electrical generating capacity?

[norwaypinesavage]

I remember, back in the 60’s, discussing electric cars with my roommate who had built one using an existing Corvair, and a few DieHards. I said then that they would be cost effective (against 35 cent per gallon gasoline) only if my employer would allow me to charge it during the day at no cost to me. This may just happen, yet.

[Bogey78O]

A smaller problem than sending American dollars off to Venezuela for oil.

[RoadTest]

“Both the Volt and Camaro are due out in 2010. I wonder what Toyota will call these two cars once they acquire GM in 2009? Prius II and Supra maybe?”

I thought Kerkorian would finish buying GM when the stock price was at nine dollars and something. He had already bought a lot of GM stock when that happened.