The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has announced a new EV program, the Managed Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot, in partnership with BMW, Ford and GM. The pilot will evaluate ways in which SMUD can help Sacramento-area customers charge their EVs at times of day that promote optimal energy load management.

“This pilot program and the lessons we’ll learn are important to help chart a path that provides a seamless and easy customer experience while also balancing grid reliability and energy supply needs,” said Ed Hamzawi, Director of Advanced Energy Solutions at SMUD.

SMUD and participating automakers will allow for secure remote home charging management by integrating on-board communications and smartphone apps. Automakers will create customized charge requests for EV owners to provide an ideal charging schedule to ensure that a customer’s vehicle is ready when they need it and is charging at optimal times. Customers with EVs from participating automakers will receive incentives for participating in the pilot program.

“The collaboration with SMUD allows us to bring ChargeForward to more customers in California and to further incentivize the use of clean energy across the country,” said Christian Voigt, e-Mobility Strategy Manager, BMW of North America. “By participating in the smart charging program with SMUD, our customers play an active role in making the grid more reliable and more sustainable.”

“By collaborating across the automotive industry and working with utilities like SMUD, Ford and others will help accelerate EV adoption in the greater Sacramento region and beyond, while helping electric vehicle drivers save costs associated with home charging,” said Matt Stover, Director of Charging and Energy Services at Ford.

“We need to deliver charging solutions that provide a great customer experience, while supporting utility decarbonization goals and the needs of the grid,” says Ty Jagerson, V2X Lead at GM. “This pilot program represents an opportunity to explore the benefits of sustainable charging for both customers and our utility collaborators.”

Customers interested in learning more about SMUD’s pilot program can visit smud.org/DriveElectric or contact their local BMW, Ford or GM customer service channels.

Source: Sacramento Municipal Utility District