Nissan has announced that it will invest in ChargeScape, a newly launched joint venture equally owned by BMW, Ford, and Honda focused on integrating EVs into the grid. Once completed, the transaction will see Nissan become an equal 25% investor in ChargeScape, alongside its founding OEMs, and will roll out the JV’s services to its EV drivers across the North America region.
Nissan’s investment in ChargeScape follows its launch in September, when it also rolled out software that wirelessly connects to EVs and manages the flow of electrons in line with real-time grid conditions, temporarily reducing demand when the grid is constrained through smart charging (V1G) and sending energy back into the power grid when needed (V2G). In providing a single platform for power utilities, automakers, and customers, ChargeScape is ultimately aiming to streamline the complexity of electric vehicle-grid integration.
At the same time, ChargeScape can help EV drivers save money by enabling services such as managed charging and vehicle-to-grid export. When connected to the company’s platform, EV drivers can opt-in to receive financial incentives for temporarily pausing charging during periods of high demand. In the future, these drivers will also be able to sell the energy stored in their vehicle’s battery back to the power grid. Sending this energy back will also help grid operators avoid dispatching expensive, and often high-emission, ‘peaker plants’ when the grid is overloaded. Today, ChargeScape is developing virtual power plants composed of bidirectional EVs in California, Texas and other markets.
Commenting on its incorporation into the ChargeScape alliance, Nissan highlighted the sales of its LEAF EV, which itself allows users to export power back to the grid, and its investments to enable bidirectional charging capabilities for its full electric fleet.
