Whoops! 24 Million EVs Is The Max Capacity For US Power Grid

Getting the world to work without oil will not be easy. Apart from increasing EV adoption, we have to make sure the world can cope with them. Think about it: would the power grid stand too many electric cars demanding a charge at the same time? PNNL – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – answered that question with a study saying the current US power grid can handle 24 million EVs until 2028. If the demand increases, we’ll need improvements.

It may seem far-fetched considering the entire US now has 1.5 million EVs on the roads, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Demand for EVs tends to grow, especially when electric pickup trucks such as the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T are available.

atc98092 - 7/30/2020 1:11:17 PM

+1 Boost

Except that EVs can be configured to charge during low demand periods, when there's plenty of capacity. And based on that chart, we're in pretty good shape in the west already, with peak demand only around 65% of capacity. Eastern and ERCOT does look like their margins are far slimmer.

SanJoseDriver - 7/30/2020 3:22:39 PM

+1 Boost

First off, that is more than 10 times all the EVs combined on the road today. Second, grid storage could double this number if not more. Third, Solar would also greatly increase capacity for EVs. Fourth, the EVs themselves are getting more efficient and have larger batteries to better balance charging during off-peak times, especially for those charging at home.

rockreid - 7/31/2020 8:29:17 AM

+2 Boost

Well, my home solar installation starts Aug 3, so my Model 3 will be 100% free Sun soon. My load on the grid will be close to zero. So I guess there’s still room for 24,000,000 instead of 23,999,999.

I’ve been wanting solar for a long time now, and finally pulled the trigger as federal tax breaks are winding down. 26% this year and falling to 22% next year. After that, they phase out but who knows what will happen after the upcoming election.

MDarringer - 7/31/2020 9:29:28 AM

+1 Boost

This "My load on the grid will be close to zero." means this "My load on the grid will be close to zero." is untrue.

SanJoseDriver - 7/31/2020 10:58:24 PM

+1 Boost

In California, there is so much solar power that on some summer days it has to be dumped since there isn't enough grid storage to support it. With $1b batteries going online next year there should be plenty of juice for everyone.

TomM - 8/1/2020 11:41:10 AM

0 Boost

EVen if you could power than many cars - you still do not have enough Charging Stations

MDarringer - 8/1/2020 12:21:52 PM

-1 Boost

That power isn't "dumped" it's actually sold, you moron.

skytop - 8/2/2020 1:43:32 AM

0 Boost

Keep this a secret from the demented Democrat Communist party. They want all car to be electric yet they are killing off all gas and coal powered generating plants.
The Democrat party DOLTS believe that wind power will sustain them. Ha!!