Applications are now open for drivers to trial electric vehicle technologies that could help save them money and reduce demand on electricity networks.

The project is investigating ways to balance the peaks of electricity use associated with charging electric vehicles at home

The Domestic Energy Balancing EV Charging project will test a range of technologies, including domestic smart chargers, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) chargers and home battery storage to help Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and the wider electricity industry manage the peaks in electricity demand caused by rising numbers of electric vehicles and to understand how new technologies may impact the system.

The project is being delivered by CrowdCharge on behalf of Milton Keynes Council as part of the city’s Go Ultra Low programme and also features Flexitricity as the energy demand response partner.

Drivers who have an electric vehicle and are resident in the Milton Keynes Council area can sign up to the trial. The V2G trials require drivers to have a Nissan Leaf or e-NV200 with a battery capacity of at least 30kWh or more but the other trials are open to drivers with any make or model of EV.

Participants who meet the minimum participation parameters will receive an incentive reward from the value of £10 per month. They will also be able to keep the technologies at the end of the trial for ownership transfer fees of £100 for the smart charger, £250 for the V2G charger and £250 for the stationary battery storage device.

The project also plans to engage with a small number of households that have solar PV equipment already installed.

Mike Potter, CEO of CrowdCharge, said: “It’s our passion at CrowdCharge to show the world how low carbon technology such as EVs can not only be accommodated in the electricity system but can also help everyone to use more renewable energy. Milton Keynes continues to be at the forefront of the adoption of these technologies and we are really pleased to be a part of its vision for low carbon living.”

For more information and to apply to join the project, visit: https://crowd-charge.com