California has awarded $1.1 million to New York-based charging startup It’s Electric to develop what could be the world’s first curbside vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charger, the state’s energy commission said on Monday.
The funding, part of the California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge initiative, supports research under the Enabling Electric Vehicles as Distributed Energy Resources program. It’s Electric will collaborate with UC Berkeley and the University of Delaware to bring the technology to market by 2028.
Unlike conventional chargers, the curbside unit will allow energy to flow back into the grid directly from parked EVs, turning them into distributed energy resources. The project also includes development of a J3068 Active Cable to enable bidirectional charging while ensuring compatibility across different charging systems.
“Seven million light-duty vehicles are routinely parked on city streets in California. As these vehicles convert to electric, their batteries have enormous potential to help offset peak demand,” said Nathan King, cofounder and CEO of It’s Electric.
At scale, the chargers could help balance grid demand, avoid costly infrastructure upgrades, and provide more equitable access to advanced charging technologies in urban areas, including disadvantaged communities, officials said.