Worries surrounding whether or not the electrical grid in the U.S. is capable of supplying power for the EVs and plug-in hybrids set to hit the road in the near future are at an all time high.  Many believe that out system is simply not capable of handling the added burden, but what is the actual burden and is our electrical system designed for the additional strain?

By 2015, President Obama wants 1 million hybrid and electrical vehicles on the road in the U.S.  This number may not be achieved by that time, but what if it is?  For comparative purposes, we'll say 10 million Chevy Volts hit the road today.  The demand of the 10 million Volts would only raise our overall consumption of energy as a nation by 0.8%.  A small number, and a number that is confirmed by Mark Duvall the director of electric transportation for the non-profit Electric Power research Institute.

As Duvall said, "It's unlikely vehicle loads will ever be something the industry can't handle.  There's no practical limit to the number of EVs electricity suppliers could support, because the grid is constantly adapting to new loads."

Knowing that the electrical grid in the U.S. is capable of handling the plug-in hybrids and EVs of the future is comforting, but there are still other concerns regarding the infrastructure, charging stations, metering electrical usage, and charging consumers to charge their vehicles while away from home.

Source:  Wards Auto