Chicago-area utility ComEd is partnering with Nuvve to explore the potential of bidirectional charging, using electric school buses to support the grid as part of a new pilot program set to launch in 2025.
The initiative will test vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, allowing school buses to serve as mobile energy storage units. When not in use, their batteries can feed power back into the grid during peak demand periods, providing financial benefits to school districts and additional energy resources to the utility.
See also: Nuvve Unveils New Bidirectional and Unidirectional EV Chargers to Advance Electrification
“Nuvve’s cutting-edge V2G technology transforms electric vehicles into reliable, dispatchable, and monetizable mobile energy storage assets,” said Hamza Lemsaddek, Vice President of Technology and Astrea AI at Nuvve. “This pilot will evaluate the value electric school buses can deliver to ComEd and its customers.”
ComEd’s pilot is part of its broader Beneficial Electrification program, which aims to lower barriers to EV adoption by supporting charging infrastructure and commercial EV deployment. The program has already contributed to the installation of 3,500 EV charging ports and the introduction of more than 200 commercial EVs, including electric school buses, in Illinois.
See also: Massachusetts to Deploy 100 Bidirectional EV Chargers in Statewide Pilot
“V2G is the next frontier in our work to support local school districts on developing plans that will help lower emissions, upgrade their fleets, and implement the benefits of EVs affordably,” said Scott Vogt, Vice President of Strategy and Energy Policy for ComEd.
The pilot will involve four electric school buses across three Illinois school districts, with potential expansion based on results. If successful, it could pave the way for a broader rollout of V2G technology throughout the Chicago area.
See also: New Jersey Launches $45 Million V2G Electric School Bus Pilot Program