<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/alternative-fuel/" rel="tag">Alternative Fuel</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/fordbev_04b.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />At a conference in Dearborn today with its utility and research partners, Ford Motor Co. announced a new intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications system. This communications strategy is a major component of the field testing program that has been ongoing since late 2007. Ford is building 21 plug-in hybrid Escape SUVs that are being evaluated with the automaker's utility partners. The new communications system allows drivers to program how and when the vehicles will be charged. Among other things driver can define the completion time for charging or desired charging rates. <br /><br />When the car is plugged in to an outlet with a smart meter, the meter can provide cost and time information back to the vehicle. Based on this information, the vehicle can be automatically programmed to start charging during off-peak hours. The smart meters use wireless communications to get the data about local electric rates and usage, and if multiple vehicles in a neighborhood are plugged in simultaneously, the meters can help manage the charging to prevent overloaded circuits. <br /><br />In the vehicle, the system is integrated into the navigation and Works Solutions systems that Ford already offers to commercial truck customers. Works Solutions includes an in-dash computer with a touchscreen for the user interface. All of the Blue Oval's PHEV test vehicles are getting the new communications system and it will likely appear on the production Transit Connect BEV next year and the Focus based EV in 2011. Check out the press release after the jump for more details.<br /><br />[Source: Ford Motor Company]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/ford-announces-car-to-grid-communications-system-for-evs/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford announces car-to-grid communications system for EVs</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/ford-announces-car-to-grid-communications-system-for-evs/">Ford announces car-to-grid communications system for EVs</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/ford-announces-car-to-grid-communications-system-for-evs/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19133057/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/ford-announces-car-to-grid-communications-system-for-evs/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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