Using Commercial Electric Vehicles for Vehicle-to-Grid Visit www.htuf.org for the white paper, or to try the interactive business calculator

1. Using Commercial Electric Vehicles for Vehicle-to-Grid
Jasna Tomić and Jean-Baptiste Gallo
CALSTART, 48 S. Chester Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106
jtomic@calstart.org / jgallo@calstart.org
Introduction Economics of Can V2G Improve the Regulation prices impact the business case for
using commercial EVs for V2G.
In addition to regular operations, Electric
Commercial EVs Ecomomics?
Vehicles (EVs) can be used as power sources Evaluated business case for selected Many commercial EVs are currently used in low
and provide additional benefits as a result. commercial EVs based on different vehicle utilization applications.
usage.
We examined potential benefits of using Business case difficult to make without optimal
commercial EVs for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Commercial EVs upfront costs remain high. use of battery.
2010 Regulation Prices for Various ISO / RTO
how this additional revenue can improve the Optimal drive cycle / vehicle usage required to EV batteries can be used when charging to
business case for commercial EVs. recoup initial upfront costs. provide grid services. In order to provide grid
services (e.g. frequency regulation), additional $18,244
equipment for bidirectional power is needed.
12 yrs
11 yrs
$11,745
10 yrs
8 yrs $5,250
7 yrs
$(20,740)
7 yrs
$(1,249) 6 yrs
6 yrs
$(7,746)
$(14,242) NPV (2012 $US)
SPP (years)
$(20,128)
The Class 3 Electric eStarTM from Navistar. Without
V2G
$5.0 $10.0 $15.0 $20.0 $25.0 $30.0 $35.0
Regulation Prices ($/MW-h)
Photo courtesy: Navistar.com
Influence of Regulation Prices on Business Case
for a Class 4 EV Urban Delivery
Methods $17,744
$11,745
Key Findings
12 years 12 years
To assess the economic value of
commercial EVs, we focused on two economic
analysis metrics: 8 years 9 years
> High vehicle/battery utilization is
- Simple Payback Period (SPP) $(1,192) preferred.
6 years 6 years
- Net Present Value (NPV) > V2G can increase EV battery usage in low
$(11,994)
utilization applications.
We calculated these metrics using the previously NPV (2012 $ US) NPV (2012 $ US)
> Higher charging power levels and
developed eTruck Business Case Calculator. SPP (years) $(20,128) $(20,128) SPP (years)
regulation prices are needed to maximize
We then compared the business case for 80 miles/day 60 miles/day 40 miles/day Without V2G With V2G @ 6.6kW With V2G @ 19.2kW V2G benefits.
commercial EVs without and with additional use Influence of Daily Mileage on Business Case Effect of V2G on Business Case
for V2G. for a Class 4 EV Urban Delivery Truck for a Class 4 EV Urban Delivery Truck
Using commercial EVs for V2G can improve
An online version of the calculator can be found Current commercial EVs business case is V2G could offset the low utilization of the EV. the business case for EVs in urban driving
at: www.etruck-business-case-calculator.org based on high vehicle utilization (daily driving High power levels (19.2 kW) are preferred. and utility work site applications and thus
(coming soon!) distance and/or diesel fuel displaced). help the adoption of commercial EVs.
CALSTART is a member based organization dedicated to expanding and supporting a clean transportation industry that cleans the air,
creates job and economic opportunities, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and secures our transportation energy future. Visit us at www.calstart.org