September 17, 2024

Utilities amp up for electric vehicle adoption

Member Utilities

Studies show that electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow in popularity. Utilities are preparing their distribution systems for the additional electric load necessary to power incoming EVs.

To best serve their customers as more residents embrace EVs, member utilities of WPPI Energy banded together to study the impact of EV home chargers on local electrical distribution systems.

The results of that study are now available in the “EV Distribution Planning Guidebook,” which can be accessed at wppienergy.org/resource-cat/member-services

Questions addressed in the guidebook include:

  1. When and where are EVs coming?
  2. How should utilities plan and design their distribution systems in the short term?
  3. How might EVs impact a full distribution system in the long term?

“Our findings show that the anticipated pace of EV adoption will be manageable,” assured Anna Stieve, senior energy services manager with WPPI Energy and project lead. “An existing 24.9 kilovolt primary distribution system is likely adequate to serve projected EV growth over the next 20 years.”

Data indicates that charging an EV could more than double a customer’s peak demand, with an average EV charger load of 11.5 kilowatts.

“As more EVs come online, the flexible electric rates our members offer become even more important,” continued Stieve. “Residential customers respond well to time-of-use rates, which encourage vehicle charging during off-peak hours. When residents charge off-peak, they can see remarkable bill savings while also providing systemwide benefits, lowering power costs for all customers and reducing the need for system upgrades.”