The EVs will kill the power grid. Or will they?

15 March 2022
Many challenges stand in the way of widespread EV adoption, but the power grid isn't one of them.

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  • Yani

I 100% agree with this news post.
I have multiple friends that are all worried that the grid just can't take it if more people would drive EVs. I constantly need to calm them down that not all people can buy an EV. For example: because they live in flats and EVs for legal/economic reasons can't function there (all need to agree on the EV charger stations with higher utility prices). And people have a misconception how much an EV actually uses per day. From my own personal experience I drive an EV for 80km/day (22.000km/year). I exclusively charge it on my 2.2 kWh charger that I got for "free" with my EV purchase. And that is charged from my own roof solar panels. Winter is the only time I need to charge from the grid (with that measly 2.2 kWh). This EV charger covers all my trips, even the 200km/day ones I do every few months. If I would need extra charging there is a 22 kWh charger in town, but my car only charges at 7.6 kWh max (never used it since I gone solar). You already have solutions with solar+battery on EV parking spots, but these are not production ready, but they could be because it's nothing special it's just some simple roof solar panels with a big battery and an EV charger. If an added 2.5 kWh/household could kill the grid, then the grid is just meant to die anyway, EVs or not.

  • Anonymous

Bil , 01 Nov 2022The main reason for existence of EV is lower use of fossil fuels. However it's well known... moreThis depends entirely on the country and there are countries that produce their electricity from hydro power or a combination of hydro and wind which don't produce CO2. And with the increase in solar, that is a puzzle piece in some countries as well. On the other hand, an internal combustion engine will always and forever need oil which in 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of cases (with the rest being biofuels which are about as common as hydrogen gas stations) comes from a few countries that have oil supplies, including russia, USA Norway, UAE among others. Moreover, battery EVs are 3x more efficient than ICE. So even if, for the same kWh of energy, the electricity in a country produced 3x more CO2 than oil, it would be equal. But today, oil for cars produces about 266g/kWh. So electricity would have to be below 798g/kWh for break-even. But it is already way lower in almost every part of the world. https://app.electricitymaps.com/map/live/fifteen_minutes

  • Anonymous

When the grid goes down, just remember this article states it wont be because of EVs.

  • A

The future is all about AUTONOMOUS EVERYTHING.
At one point the SHELTER we are using will also be FULLY AUTONOMOUS.
And those who will go against this crucial upgrade will be REMEMBERED in history but as DUST of PAST.

  • Ainot

Rarely seen a more open propaganda article for EVs than this one. EV isn't a technology for using, it's a technology to make u hate mobility, at least far ranging mobility. But it's perfect to make u feel happy living in a 15 minutes city and not needing an EV at all.

  • Ai

Blabla

  • Anonymous

no matter in which century you're the past and present will affects the future.
it's upto present people to live/build a better place for future generation.
doesn't matter which technologies to go with nor their pros n cons.
right usability, for all; of these utilities is matter the most.

  • RUA

Forcing and taking over the production of classic cars is an anti-civic action. Modern cars that meet high emission classes shouldnt be subject to the ban.
Officials, politicians just like in the communist in USSR, decide almost about everything. People are left to watch tv series and games.
Tolls for entering cities, ban on production - ecology has become not a science, but a religion.

  • regulated monopolies

Utility companies are regulated monopolies. With little or poor oversite, they become inefficient or corrupt. Expect the utilities to continuously and repeatedly use every excuse to apply and rationalize rate increases.

  • Anonymous

World would be a better place if they stopped worrying about climate change

  • Vic-sam

Super speedy

  • Anonymous

How many millions of gallons of perfectly drinkable water are wasted to produce 1 lithium car battery?

  • Bil

The main reason for existence of EV is lower use of fossil fuels. However it's well known fact that most electricity is produced by using the same fossil fuels. In the long run it might increase dependency in fossil fuels.

  • Anonymous

human population and demand for electrical are exponentially rising ... for sure

therefore, radiation will also rising, no matter what ... and ... the demand for exotic materials are also rising ... the waste will cause the earth more and more pollutant is surely guarantee

long haul wired power distribution will require AC, alternating current, and then will be stepped down to supply industrial commercial, and residential, and then will be transformed into DC, direct current, because of battery are all DC, even wireless charging is DC ... and ... the more wireless, the more radiation

so which part in that process that the emerging technologies will make better contribution to human health ???

imagine evs wireless charging while moving 200 mph uphill ... how much radiation in that traffic alone? inside every vehicle ... wireless charging and wireless network. the AC high voltage long haul to support that on the road wireless charging, also produce electromagnetic radiation ... that may degrades the quality of farming soil and weather

try to understand ... star trek insurrection
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Insurrection

  • Anonymous

Anonymous, 10 Aug 2022whatever humanity tries to do to stop climate change or pollution of environment, it just won&... moreyou mean ... how long the battery of ev ... maybe, just maybe, the ev without the battery can last long ... in museum

  • Anonymous

whatever humanity tries to do to stop climate change or pollution of environment, it just won't work. whatever we use, EVs or cumbustion engine cars, we will need the same amount of energy. If we change our whole life in "environmentally friendly" means, then we will need the same amount of energy. thus, we will create the same amount of waste and the same amount of pollution. to stop pollution of environment we would need less power consumption, less industrial overproduction. but capitalism needs economical growth, so the vicious circle will never end. producing 1 billion EVs instead of 1 billion combustion engine cars is not better. EVs create even more waste because of their smaller life cycle and battery disposal. I have been using Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204) since about 12 years and I am going to continue using it for a long time. How long can you use an EV?

  • Anonymous

it is not realistic to take the average travel distance into consideration as EVs won't allow to be driven that much due to extremely longer charging times and less range than cumbustion engine cars. therefore, electricity demands will grow even less than the mentioned numbers.

  • For now

With that prices, you don't have to worry about mass adoption, like everyone will get one.
Moreover, with all things going on, homes with solar, wind or even hydro power will be here sooner.
Lol, even just getting a battery pack on the wall will be worth if there will be smart energy sharing/selling going on.

  • Anonymous

MP, 09 May 2022Your article is purely theoretic. Real life is not. Uk has days in winter when is producing at... moreNuclear...

  • MP

Your article is purely theoretic. Real life is not. Uk has days in winter when is producing at peak capacity purely because there is no wind or is very cold and people need to heat up and lots use electricity.
If we take into account that ev s use more energy when is cold, that means they need to be charged more often.
So if right conditions are met which can easily happen in winter it can put UK grid to it s knees.

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