The government announced on 8 July 2017 that it has made available £20 million in funding for companies that wish to develop vehicle-to-grid energy projects, as part of its new Industrial Strategy. The scheme is designed to fund investigations into technology that allows electric vehicles that draw from the grid to also return power to it when they are not in use and will include funding for feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development, and real-world trials.
Of the new funding scheme, Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry, Claire Perty said:
Vehicle to grid technology provides another opportunity for the UK to showcase to the world our leading expertise in research and development which is at the heart of our ambitious Industrial Strategy. This competition could unlock significant economic benefits for the UK – helping to create jobs in this burgeoning sector while helping to reduce our emissions.
The funds come from the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).
One company which is likely to compete for the funding is Nissan, which has already developed and put into use technology of this nature in the UK. Additionally, the announcement is in keeping with Nissan’s 2016 request that the government extend more funding for infrastructure to support the increased sale and usage of electric vehicles within the UK.
Source: Innovative vehicle to grid technology to receive £20 million
