Mitsubishi uses electric vehicles to provide power

Electric vehicles aren’t just reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering our fuel bills.

The whole idea of what a fully electric vehicle can do is still evolving, particularly as it relates to battery

function.

For instance, what about powering your home with your car – especially in the event of a natural disaster. It’s a concept known as vehicle-to-home (V2H).

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) on the other hand, uses the electricity stored in the batteries of plug-in vehicles as back up energy for electricity grids.

In the aftermath of the powerful earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last year, several popular automakers have developed V2H power systems.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors developed a system whereby it uses 15 of its I-Miev electric vehicles as an emergency power supply to maintain the core functions of its headquarters during natural disasters or sudden blackouts.

Toyota and Nissan have continued to develop their own V2H systems and made announcements this past summer for their testing and commercialization plans.

It’s already happening in other parts of the world and while there’s still much work to do, B.C. isn’t too far behind.

A recently released, in-depth study conducted by the Vancouver-based GLOBE Advisors speaks to the progress being made here in an effort to enable our cars to power us through the “big one.”

Studies underway at BCIT are currently looking at applied research options to develop micro-smart grids to facilitate electric vehicles to safely provide backup power to residential homes and appliances in times of need.

As it does for a number of other automotive specialties, BCIT is providing the education and hands-on training needed to equip tomorrow’s workforce for this kind of technological advancement.

Just as important, it’s better preparing the province for a natural disaster emergency response.