Toyota Motor North America, a subsidiary of Toyota, announced its partnership with Oncor Electric Delivery to revive and accelerate its EV strategy. Texas-based major utility company Oncor and Toyota will work on building an EV charging ecosystem beneficial to customers and the grid network.
The pilot research has given a sharp focus on vehicle-to-grid (V2G), a technology that facilitates the flow of power in both directions (from the grid to the electric car and vice versa).
V2G is a nascent industry. The two-way charging technology not only provides electric power to cars like conventional charging but can also bring electricity from cars into the home grid, helping to reduce pressure on the grid system during peak hours.
The goal of Toyota and Oncor is to convert electric vehicles into mobile generators that can supply the electricity needs of home appliances, households, or even the whole city.
It’s not the first time Toyota has turned itself into the world of EVs. The automotive manufacturer saw the future of reduced emissions in vehicle electrification. Toyota introduced last year the first battery electric vehicle – the bZ4X. The model was quickly recalled due to technical problems.
In the not-too-distant future, Toyota and Oncor will launch a joint research initiative at the Oncor site. With the use of this facility, Toyota is able to test a wide variety of alternative solutions, including solar power, uninterruptible power supplies, and technology that integrates electric vehicle batteries into the grid.
According to Akio Toyoda, the CEO of Toyota, this is not a complete and total transition toward the electrification of vehicles. This is simply the first phase in Toyota’s strategy for approaching new electric vehicles; the Japanese automaking giant is actively exploring the viability of the business model and the technology involved.
Previously, the corporation was not a fan of electric vehicles. However, the new reality of Tesla’s success, as well as the success of other EV manufacturers, changed the company’s stance. Toyota’s presence will offer more competing products and advantages to both the car sector and customers.
Article and Image Source: Toyota
