Toyota researches vehicle to grid technology with SDG&E

Toyota, home to the Toyota and Lexus brands, has been a staple on the roads of North America for over 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility. The company directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at 13 manufacturing plants. 

Thanks to its 26 electrified options, Toyota has more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. 

Advancing the EV technology on consumer’s driveways

In an exciting development for North American EV enthusiasts and drivers — as well as the sector globally — Toyota Motor North America (Toyota) is working with Southern California-based public utility company San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) research for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

“We are embracing the concept of an entire electrified ecosystem for our customers, and the ability for vehicles to integrate with the grid is an essential component of this ecosystem,” shares Christopher Yang, Group Vice President of Business Development for Toyota North America, President and CEO of Toyota Connected North America Toyota, and Deputy General Counsel for Toyota Motor Corporation. 

Yang is also currently on the Board of Governors for the Japanese American Museum, a Council Leader for the US-Japan Council and Head Coach of the US National Men’s Kendo Team. In his roles, he leads Toyota's EV Charging, Battery Lifecycle (4R), Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Flying Mobility and IP monetisation businesses.

“Working with leading utilities, such as SDG&E, will ensure that customers can continue to confidently charge at home. Toyota seeks to empower utilities to better anticipate and leverage the significant number of plug-in hybrid and BEVs on their grids, both as a growing source of energy demand and, in the future, energy supply.”

The V2G research will use a Toyota bZ4X to explore bidirectional power flow technology that enables BEV owners to both charge their vehicle’s batteries from the electric grid and discharge electricity from the batteries back to the grid. 

The exciting technology has the potential to improve energy reliability and resilience, the integration of renewables, and the possibility of reduced electricity costs.

“V2G has the potential to be a game changer for the power grid and for consumers, and we’re proud to partner with Toyota to advance this technology,” says SDG&E Chief Commercial Officer Miguel Romero. 

As Chief Commercial Officer, Romero is responsible for all commercial growth initiatives and a growing portfolio of clean energy strategies, innovations, and projects to support SDG&E’s progress toward net-zero emissions.

Romero joined the Sempra family of companies — of which SDG&E is one — in 2004 and has held a number of positions with increasing responsibilities in the development of renewable energy, energy storage, clean transportation, hydrogen, and other advanced clean energy technologies. In his most recent executive roles, Romero served as vice president of energy innovation as well as vice president of energy supply for SDG&E.

“Together, we’re forging new pathways toward a sustainable and resilient energy future for our customers and the communities we serve.”

*********************************************

EV Magazine is dedicated to creating a global community of businesses, experts, and EV enthusiasts with comprehensive insights into automotive and the surrounding sectors.

For more EV insights check out the latest edition of EV Magazine and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn & Twitter.

You may also be interested in Sustainability Magazine and Energy Digital Magazine. 

************************************************

Sustainability LIVE Net Zero will be hosted live from the QEII Centre, London on the 6th and 7th of March, and streamed globally via our virtual event platform Brella. Sustainability LIVE Net Zero will delve deeper into the strategies, innovations, and collaborative efforts propelling us toward a net-zero future. The conference and exhibition gives the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and actively contribute to crafting a sustainable future.

Following Sustainability LIVE Net Zero, viewers can also sign up for Sustainability LIVE Dubai, Singapore and New York.

Sign up to the The Global Sustainability & ESG Awards 2024, coming to London on the 10th September 2024.

************************************************

BizClik is a global provider of B2B digital media platforms that cover Executive Communities for CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, Sustainability Leaders, Procurement & Supply Chain Leaders, Technology & AI Leaders, Cyber Leaders, FinTech & InsurTech Leaders as well as covering industries such as Manufacturing, Mining, Energy, EV, Construction, Healthcare + Food & Drink.

BizClik – based in London, Dubai, and New York – offers services such as Content Creation, Advertising & Sponsorship Solutions, Webinars & Events.