In a report issued last week by the New York City electric grid manager, statements concerning the grids ability to handle widespread use of EVs are not accurate. The system is fully capable of handling the demands of EVs.
According to the grid manager, the city could easily handle widespread adoption of EVs and their electrical needs as long as owners charged them during the overnight period. The overnight period represents a time frame of off peak electrical usage, and the grid could capably charge EVs during that time frame without any additional power plants built.
Stephen Whitley, president of the New York Independent System operator said, "If New York motorists start plugging in significant numbers of plug-in hybrid vehicles, we will see new demands on the grids." But he went on to state that "Rates designed to encourage off-peak charging, coupled with time-of-use rates, and smart grid metering initiatives, would facilitate favorable charging behavior."
As full electric vehicles and more plug-ins hit our roads, it is comforting to know that a city as large as New York could handle the increased electrical load as long as some forethought went into charging the vehicles.
We have reported on several cities and countries that confirm that charging EVs will be handled with ease in the years to come. For now, it seems as though the concern over charging EVs and building additional power plants is unsubstantiated. But the real test will come when EVs are scattered throughout our major metropolitan areas. For that test, we will have to wait, but for now the utility companies have given the green light, they are ready.
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