The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is working to develop an open platform that would integrate plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) with smart grid technologies.
EPRI is carrying out the project in partnership with eight automakers and 15 utilities.
The platform is said to enable utilities to support PEV charging regardless of location, and allow manufacturers to offer a user-friendly interface for PEV drivers. It would use a utility's communications system and an electric vehicle's telematics system.
The solution will integrate multiple communication pathways, including automated metering infrastructure, home area networks, building energy management systems.
EPRI electric transportation manager Dan Bowermaster said: "A key aspect of the platform's benefits will be giving customers flexibility and choices.
"It can help the PEV customer determine the value of using their parked vehicle as a grid resource, and help the industry develop a convenient, user-friendly customer interface.
"We see this as the foundation for future developments to integrate PEVs with the grid."
The core platform technology on the first phase of the project will be developed by Sumitomo Electric.
This software platform will comply with the Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) Roadmap Initiative of the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Independent System Operator. It will also meet with standards set by IEEE, IEC/ISO, and SAE, and Open ADR Alliance.
