The Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE) has developed a new specification that establishes usage protocols for two-way interactions between electric vehicles and the electric grid systems that will come under increasing load pressure as more and more of these EVs and hybrid plug-in EVs make their way into daily use. SAE J2836/1 is the first in a series of five standards that are now being developed by SAE International to address various utility programs that will be used in conjunction with these next-gen transport modules. At the heart of SAE J2836/1 are a set of communication requirements that will serve as a framework for use with various load management and rate programs to be established by utility companies that relate to the charging of plug-in electric vehicles.

Rich Scholer, HEV E/E Systems Engineer, Ford Motor Company, chair of SAE International's Hybrid Task Force and sponsor of the new standard, commented on the potential impact of SAE J2836/1. "The biggest challenge for utilities is managing the grid during peak times, a time when energy is the most expensive and demand is greatest. As we add more plug-in electric vehicles to the grid, we're increasing our need for on-peak power and infrastructure. This standard will help enable consumers to charge their vehicles at off-peak hours and help utilities better manage the grids during peak hours, thus minimizing cost and grid impacts."