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2023 Nissan LEAF Source: Nissan

A bill has been introduced in California which would require all EVs to have bidirectional charging capability starting in model year 2027.

The bill is numbered SB 233, introduced in the California Senate by Senator Nancy Skinner, who represents the Oakland area, just north of Tesla’s factory in Fremont; it has a lot of organizations supporting it.

It would require all new electric vehicles to be “bidirectional capable” by model year 2027.

The bill doesn’t specifically define “bidirectional-capable” and directs the California Energy Commission to convene a work group and produce a report on the bidirectional capabilities of various vehicles. This would likely include vehicle-to-grid capability, which means that the car’s battery can feed energy into the electrical grid (or a microgrid), much the same way that a home solar system does when it produces more than a home can consume.

There are other types of bidirectional usage available for EVs, notably vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-home. V2L is the most limited type and typically has lower peak draw capability – for example, the 1.8kW capability on the Kia Niro EV. V2H allows homeowners to power their home with a car’s battery, much like a Tesla Powerwall might work or like Ford’s “Intelligent Backup Power” system.

Another umbrella term for all of this is “vehicle-to-everything,” or V2X.

The bill is meant to help California’s grid tackle challenges with peak loads. As climate change makes temperatures hotter, California’s grid is often overtaxed on the hottest summer days, which are becoming more numerous. Even worse, natural gas peaker plants are the highest-polluting form of electricity California consumes, and these need to be used at peak times in order to deal with high demand.

Electric cars can be a solution to this problem, since they could function as a distributed backup system for the grid. With incentives to charge overnight (utilities give cheaper rates for night charging) and additional incentives to discharge a battery when demand is high, EV owners could help the grid, the air, and also potentially their pocketbooks by buying electricity when it is cheap and putting it back onto the grid when it’s expensive.

California has already moved to incentivize grid-connected storage with its recent changes to its solar net metering program. In a change that was controversial for many rooftop solar advocates, the new 3.0 net metering provision gave higher incentives to stationary battery storage and fewer incentives to normal nonbattery rooftop solar installations.

But there aren’t a lot of V2G-capable cars out there. Currently, only one EV on the market is fully V2G capable and has an available charger to unlock that capability for fleets. That car is also the oldest EV on the market – the Nissan Leaf, which was introduced in 2011 and has been equipped with bidirectional charging capability since 2013. But it only finally got its charger last September, several years after introduction and four years after Nissan partnered with Fermata Energy to deliver this charger.

Other vehicles have V2L or V2H capabilities (or have been promised to eventually have V2G capabilities), but only one is fully V2G capable in the US at the moment.

The bill has already been through two committees (Transportation and Energy, Utilities and Communications), during which it has been watered down significantly. Earlier versions of the bill would have also applied to all electric vehicle supply equipment (chargers), had specific incentives for bidirectional-capable EVs, and may have required these vehicles to use interoperable standards, but these aspects have all been removed as the bill has been amended.

Next, it has to go through the Appropriations committee, then pass through the state Senate and Assembly, and get signed by the governor – so there’s a lot more to go, with the potential that anything could be changed by more amendments.

Then many specifics of implementation would be left up to the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, and California Public Utilities Commission, and the work group convened to study this issue. This includes potentially exempting certain vehicles from the requirements if they are found not to have a “likely beneficial bidirectional-capable use case.”

Electrek’s Take

V2G hasn’t really taken off with consumers, not solely because there aren’t many vehicles available that allow it but also because it’s not all that easy to use. You can’t just plug your car into an outlet and use it – you need to have a grid interconnect, a system which manages the charging and discharging of your vehicle, and so on.

So far, V2G has been more of a curiosity or potentially something for fleets which have large amounts of dispatchable power, but not really something that consumers can take advantage of.

A system like Tesla’s Virtual Power Plant, which connects Powerwall owners together into a large, automatically-dispatchable reserve of power for the grid (all while making those Powerwall owners money), would make it easier for consumers to use their cars in this way.

And having the force of law behind it, requiring all vehicles to be capable of this, could just be the kick-start needed to make these widespread. V2G definitely benefits from a network effect, where it becomes more useful the more people participate.

There’s no real point to a single person discharging their car into the grid, but when millions of cars are involved, you could work to flatten out the famous “duck curve,” which describes the imbalance between electricity supply and demand. We hear a lot about “intermittency” as the problem with wind and solar, and grid storage as the solution to that, so being able to immediately switch on gigawatt-hours worth of installed storage capacity would certainly help to solve that problem.

And that could be worth a tremendous amount of money to the grid. Not only does it eliminate peaker plant usage, which is costly both economically and environmentally, but it also saves money on grid storage installation and helps to avoid costly and even deadly widespread power outages. These benefits could be thought to balance out any cost of additional incentives for V2G-capable cars. But many of those benefits are had simply by charging the car at the right time, which helps to balance out peaks and troughs on its own.

The question of cost is important. This could increase the cost of EVs, and certainly of electrical charger installations. Will the incentive be enough to make up for this increased cost for consumers? Will enough people install grid interconnections to make this useful? And how can they even do so, when there’s a massive backlog of people waiting for grid interconnections to be installed?

And with 2027 coming so soon, do automakers have time to implement this, given that Nissan’s system took more than a decade to get a V2G-capable charger commercially available in the US? Tesla’s VP of Powertrain and Energy, Drew Baglino, recently said it could have bidirectional charging in two years, and immediately afterward, CEO Elon Musk stepped in to say that he thought nobody would want to use bidirectional charging.

This brings up a point: It still remains to be seen if car owners would accept having their car’s charge controlled by an algorithm. People are already obsessed with buying cars that have much more range than they need, so coming back to a car and finding out it’s got 100 fewer miles than you left it at might rattle some owners. This is solvable by setting minimum thresholds in an app, but that could also limit the overall usefulness of the system to the grid.

While this is a great idea that could solve many problems for California and elsewhere, we could see it being difficult to implement unless the system is made easy to use, easy to install, and people are properly incentivized to use it in a manner that is understandable to a public that doesn’t know the difference between a kilowatt and a kilowatt-hour. State regulators will have their work cut out for them to design these regulations by the end of 2024 as the bill describes, but if they get it right, this could finally give us the V2G dream we’ve been thinking of for so long.

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Stellantis unveils new Frame Platform for Jeep and Ram EVs, unlocking up to 500 miles range

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November 19, 2024

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Stellantis unveils new Frame Platform for Jeep and Ram EVs, unlocking up to 500 miles range

Jeep-Ram-Frame-platform

Stellantis launched its newest EV platform on Tuesday. The new STLA Frame Platform will first underpin upcoming Jeep and Ram EV models. According to Stellantis, it aims to provide “best-in-class capabilities,” including up to 500 miles range.

The STLA Frame is designed for full-size trucks and SUVs as Stellantis looks to grab a bigger share of the growing segment.

It will underpin all-electric (EV), range-extended (REEV), hybrid (HEV), ICE, and hydrogen-powered models.

Ram will launch its first electric pickup, the Ram 1500 REV, early next year. Built on the new Frame platform, the electric truck will be offered in EV and REEV configurations.

Now, we are learning a little more about what we can expect from the new platform that will power upcoming Jeep and Ram EV models.

Stellantis said the STLA Frame Platform is designed to provide “best-in-class capabilities,” including range, towing, and payload. The platform is built to deliver a “class-leading” range of up to 500 miles (800 km), a max towing capacity of up to 14,000 lbs, and a payload rating of 2,700 lbs.

Ram-Jeep-Frame-platform
Ram 1500 REV electric pickup truck (Source: Stellantis)

The widened center section houses liquid-cooled battery packs ranging from 159 kWh to over 200 kWh.

Stellantis unveils new Frame platform for Jeep, Ram EVs

With up to 350 kW capacity, the platform can add 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. Vehicles on the STLA Frame will also have bi-directional charging to power your home or feed energy back to the grid.

Jeep-Frame-platform
Jeep Wagoneer S (Source: Jeep)

Vehicles built on the platform will range in length from 216″ to 234″. In comparison, the 2025 Ram 1500 Crew Cab measures 232″.

Ram and Jeep EV models will be the first to ride on the new STLA Frame platform. Although we know the Ram 1500 will be based on it, it’s expected to underpin upcoming Jeep variants like the Grand Wagoneer.

Jeep-first-EV-Wagoneer-S
Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition (Source: Jeep)

Jeep’s first global electric SUV, the Wagoneer S, will arrive at US dealerships any day now. The company said it will begin deliveries this fall, starting at $71,995 with an expected over 300 miles range.

The Jeep Wagoneer S will be underpinned by the STLA Large platform, one of four global EV platforms. Following the STLA Medium in July 2023 and STLA Large earlier this year, the Frame is the latest Stellantis platform to launch.

Another Jeep EV, the Recon, is expected to debut later this year. Jeep’s Wrangler-inspired Recon was recently spotted with a Ford Bronco-like design ahead of its debut.

Jeep-Wrangler-Recon-EV
Jeep Recon EV (Source: Stellantis)

The rugged SUV maker is also expected to release electric versions of its Gladiator pickup and Grand Cherokee models, which could be perfect candidates to be underpinned by the new Frame platform.

Ram’s electric pickup will arrive early next year. With a 168 kWh battery pack, Ram targets up to 350 miles range. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to launch.

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SkyDrive to bring more eVTOL air taxi services to South Carolina, home to its US headquarters

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November 19, 2024

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SkyDrive to bring more eVTOL air taxi services to South Carolina, home to its US headquarters

SkyDrive South Carolina

Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive continues to grow its order books and is now expanding potential air taxi operations in South Carolina, a state it chose as its US base last year. SkyDrive has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with one of the state’s largest private jet charter companies, which includes purchasing up to ten SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft.

SkyDrive Inc. remains a relative newcomer to the sustainable aviation segment but is quickly growing its global customer base despite the fast that it still needs to reach scaled eVTOL production.

It should do so with the help of Suzuki, which has signed on to manufacture the aircraft in Japan. In July of 2023, SkyDrive shared that it was establishing a US headquarters in South Carolina, which was joined by news that the company had secured its first eVTOL pre-order. At the time, Austin Aviation Inc. had signed a pre-order letter of intent to purchase up to five SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft in South Carolina.

Austin is one of several collaborators in the state working alongside the Japanese eVTOL company, which also includes a network of local airports. Today, SkyDrive announced another pre-order from a South Carolina-based company that includes a business opportunity with an airport in downtown Greenville.

SkyDrive eVTOL
A rendering of SkyDrive’s eVTOL by the same name / Credit: SkyDrive

SkyDrive, SAI flight share air taxi plans for South Carolina

According to a release from SkyDrive today, the eVTOL developer has signed a Memorandum of Understanding alongside SAI Flight and the Greenville Downtown Airport to jointly develop business opportunities that utilize SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft. Per SkyDrive:

Under this agreement, the three organizations will collaborate to develop real-life use cases for the eVTOL, originating from Greenville Downtown Airport with collaborative support of both the Greenville City Economic Development Corporation and the Greenville Area Development Corporation. They are working closely with local and state governments, as well as local businesses, to design practical routes such as to the city center and the Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport, that will enhance travel options for community residents and visitors. This positions Greenville as a leader among state airports in the integration of Advanced Air Mobility solutions.

The organizations shared that the pending eVTOL network will explore opportunities beyond air taxi travel and test the feasibility of advanced air cargo and emergency service use cases.

SAI Flight, one of the largest private jet charter and management companies in South Carolina, has committed to a pre-order of 10 SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft. SkyDrive shared that SAI’s Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate will enable it to integrate eVTOL services into its existing operations immediately as soon as those pre-ordered eVTOLs are delivered.

Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) is the busiest general aviation airport in the state. Through its MoU with SkyDrive and SAI Flight, GMU believes it is well-positioned to become a central hub for the future of Advanced Air Mobility in South Carolina. Looking forward, SkyDrive says it will continue to work alongside the state of South Carolina to expand eVTOL operations and bring jobs to the state. Per South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey:

For the past two years, we have proudly partnered with SkyDrive in the Lowcountry, as they exemplify South Carolina’s vision of being the new home of American innovation. SkyDrive’s Advanced Air Mobility solutions are set to transform the future of aviation, and we are excited to see this pioneering technology take root in our state. Starting in the Lowcountry, SkyDrive has expanded its efforts to include the Greenville area, Greenville Downtown Airport, and Columbia Metropolitan Airport, working closely with local airports and service providers to bring these cutting-edge services to life. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with SkyDrive as we build a brighter, more innovative future for aviation and economic growth in South Carolina.

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Lectric launches XPeak 2.0 e-bikes with $365 in free gear, Save $1,700 with Samsung Bespoke Black Friday appliance deals, more

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4 hours ago

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November 19, 2024

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Lectric launches XPeak 2.0 e-bikes with 5 in free gear, Save ,700 with Samsung Bespoke Black Friday appliance deals, more

Today’s Green Deals are being led by yet another new Lectric release, as the brand launches its XPeak 2.0 Off-Road e-bikes for pre-order with $365 in free gear – all starting from the first-generation’s $1,399 price tag. Next we have Black Friday savings on Samsung’s Bespoke AI Combo All-in-One Electric Washer and Ventless Heat Pump Dryer starting from $1,700, along with an array of other Bespoke smart appliance deals. NIU has begun its full Black Friday event on its KQi series e-scooters, with the KQi3 Max Electric Kick Scooter back at its $599 low. Lastly, we’re seeing the second-ever discount on Govee’s new Smart Electric Composter that has dropped the price down to $260. Plus, all the best hangover Green Deals from last week are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Black Friday savings on UGREEN’s three PowerRoam stations, Segway Ninebot e-scooters, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Lectric launches upgraded XPeak 2.0 off-road e-bikes with $365 in free gear starting from $1,399

Hot on the heels of last week’s new release of the XPedition 2.0 Cargo e-bikes, Lectric is back again this week with the launch of its new XPeak 2.0 Off-Road e-bikes for pre-order, with both standard and long-range models coming with $365 in free gear. What’s best, prices for these new models are starting off at the same rates as the predecessors, with the standard High-Step and Step-Thru models coming in at $1,399 shipped, while the Long-Range High-Step and Long-Range Step-Thru models are a little higher at $1,599 shipped. These new models will begin shipping the week of December 30, 2024. Head below to learn more about these new e-bikes or check out our launch coverage.

Coming in two colorways, Lectric’s four XPeak 2.0 e-bikes are cruising into view with some significant upgrades, like the new torque sensor that pairs with the brand’s PWR+ tech for even more responsive PAS, which works alongside the 750W Stealth M24 rear hub-motor (which peaks at 1,310W) to support riders up to a max speed of 28 MPH. The standard models’ 15Ah semi-integrated battery provides a travel range of up to 60 miles on a full charge, while the long-range models’ new 20Ah battery extends that range up to 80 miles.

There’s been some additional structural upgrades here too, with a new hydroformed aluminum frame, a higher-end RST Renegade front suspension fork with blacked-out fork stanchions for a much sleeker and stealthier look, as well as lock-on hand grips, a larger 203 mm front disc for the hydraulic mineral oil brakes – plus, a new color LCD display too. Continued features include the 8-speed Shimano Altus derailleur, puncture-resistant knobby tires, hidden cable routing, accessory mounting points, removable pedals, and a thumb-throttle for pure electric riding. With the included bundle packages, you’ll also have the option to add on a rear cargo rack, fenders over both wheels, an Elite 850-lux headlight, an accordion-style folding bike lock, and a suspension seat post for more comfort when heading off the beaten path.

Lectric XPeak 2.0 e-bikes come with $365 in free gear:

You can also still grab the first-generation XPeak Step-Thru Off-Road e-bike with $781 in free gear (including an extra battery for 100+ miles of travel) for as long as supplies last.

Lectric XPeak 2.0 e-bike

Save up to $1,700 on Samsung’s Bespoke all-in-one electric washer/ventless dryer from $1,700 during Black Friday sales, more

Samsung’s ongoing Black Friday event is offering some amazing chances to score the brand’s Bespoke appliances at some of their lowest rates, like the AI Combo All-in-One Electric Washer & Ventless Heat Pump Dryer for $1,899 shipped. Along with your purchase, you’ll also be getting some bonus savings with a $100 exclusive credit towards future purchases, a 2-year Samsung Care+ warranty at $1 (normally $150), and free installation (worth $25) – valued at $275 ($1,700 in total savings). Normally this washer/dryer unit would run you $3,324 at full price, with the biggest discounts we’ve seen direct from Samsung taking costs down to $1,999 in 2024. You can also save even more with open-box options at $1,519 (find the option on right side of page). We also spotted this same model at Best Buy currently discounted to $1,700 shipped, though keep in mind that this deal doesn’t give you the $275 in additional savings with the credit/Care+/free install.

Samsung’s Bespoke AI Combo arrives as an ENERGY STAR-certified all-in-one unit that is supported by powerful AI smart tech to help you manage your laundry routines with increased efficiency. The AI allows it to identify different fabric types that are placed inside and adjust its settings according to the detected soil levels. The detergent tank here sports a much larger capacity, holding up to 47 loads worth of detergent so you don’t have to regularly worry about filling and refilling in between laundry loads – plus, it also has a Flex One compartment that takes that convenience to the next level as it can be split between 25 loads of detergent and 34 loads of softener.

Of course, one of its most praised features is right in the name – the ventless heat pump design. Not only does it give you far more freedom when placing it in your home (you’ll no longer be bound to areas with a dedicated vent like with standard models), but the dual-inverter heat pump tech significantly increases its energy efficiency by working with the AI system to calculate and predict your electricity costs to “reduce energy usage by up to 19%.” It’s also been given self-cleaning and self-drying tech to keep laundry coming out fresh, smart controls via the SmartThings app (as well as hands-free voice controls too), the EPA’s seal of approval, and much more. Head below to learn about the rest of what this appliance can bring to your home.

More Samsung Black Friday Bespoke appliance deals:

  • Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum with All-in-One Clean Station: $550 (Reg. $700)
    • Built-in All-in-One Clean Station, multi-stage filtration
  • AutoRelease Smart Dishwasher: $699 (Reg. $1,299)
    • StormWash+, Smart Dry, and 42 dBA whisper-quiet operation
  • 6.0 cubic-foot Smart Slide-In Gas Range Oven: $1,099 (Reg. $2,144)
    • Air Sous Vide, Air Fry
  • 29 cubic-foot 4-Door Flex Refrigerator: $3,299 (Reg. $4,999)
    • AI Family Hub, AI Vision Inside, Beverage Center
  • And much more…

You can check out the entire lineup of Samsung’s Bespoke Black Friday savings by following the link here. 

NIU Black Friday sale on KQi electric scooters

NIU’s full Black Friday sale increases savings on KQi series e-scooters up to 64% off with new lows – deals from $179

NIU has launched its full Black Friday sale through November 29 that is increasing discounts from its early-event sale, now taking up to 64% off its lineup of KQi-series electric scooters, like the KQi3 Max Electric Kick Scooter that is down at $599 shipped. This model is often priced at $999 most of the time, with most of the sales we’ve seen coming direct from NIU dropping the price around $750, though we did see it fall to $599 back in July in the brand’s parallel sale to Amazon’s Prime Day event. Today, you’re looking at a second chance opportunity to score this powerful commuter solution with a $400 markdown that returns costs to the all-time lowest we have tracked. You’ll also find it matching in price at Amazon.

One of NIU’s more powerful e-scooter models that offers plenty of bang-for-your-buck mileage, the KQi3 Max’s 608.4Wh battery provides an impressive 40 miles of travel range while the 450W motor hits top speeds of 23.6 MPH (when unlocked from the companion app) – plus, it comes with plenty of peak power to conquer up to 25% inclines, which beats out a large pool of popular models on the market. It sports a triple braking system with regenerative brakes that recycle energy to extend your electrically assisted journey, complete with self-healing tires should you find yourself venturing on questionable terrain. It also comes stocked with a high-powered halo headlight, brake light functionality, and a full array of smart controls that include the unlocking of its higher speeds and security locking for added peace of mind and security.

NIU’s full Black Friday sale deals:

Govee Smart Electric Composter

Save $240 while getting nutrient-rich soil with Govee’s new Smart Electric Composter at $260

Through its official Amazon storefront, Govee is offering the second-ever discount on its new Smart Electric Composter that brings the price down to $259.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $100 off coupon and redeeming the on-page 10% off promo code SEZOUABS. Down from its $500 full price, we saw this new smart device hit the scene one month ago, with its first discount dropping immediately, bringing costs down by 50% to what is now its all-time $250 low rate. Today, you’re looking at a slightly lesser combined 48% markdown that still saves you $240 on this all-new upgrade for your kitchen and home life. As I first pointed out back in October, and continuing even now, this model still hasn’t shown up on Govee’s direct website yet either.

Composting is becoming a bigger and bigger trend we’re seeing in homes across the country as folks are trying to do their part in reducing food waste while simultaneously keeping it out of landfills, improving their own gardening soil, and more. This Smart Electric Composter from Govee helps you keep track of your disposal routines with detailed records, giving you the low-cost chance to add more nutrients to your gardening soil at home. All its settings and functions can be monitored and controlled through the companion app – plus, you can even go hands-free with voice controls by connecting it with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. It offers three operating modes to choose from with a bunch of safety notifications sent straight to you should something go wrong. The best part is, there are no odors to worry about thanks to the two interchangeable filters that prevent the usual decomposition smells that naturally occur during the composting cycle.

Best Black Friday e-bike deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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