As Toyota Motor North America ramps up its next generation of electrified vehicles, it’s taking steps to improve home charging options that maximize EV load flexibility benefits on the grid while exploring potential financial advantages for customers.

Through a $28 million investment from the OEM’s growth fund, Woven Capital, TMNA is collaborating with WeaveGrid to ensure that as more of its battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are introduced they will smoothly integrate with the electric grid to help facilitate an efficient, equitable, and resilient energy transition, according to a press release.

In anticipation of the rapid expansion that will be needed to meet demand from EVs and other new loads, Toyota, WeaveGrid, and its partner utilities are collaborating to launch programs and support a grid that is resilient and more affordable so that customers can charge their vehicles reliably and at a potentially reduced cost, according to the release.

“Toyota is an invaluable collaborator in overcoming one of the most complex challenges of decarbonizing the auto industry: ensuring electric grid reliability by transforming EVs into grid-interactive assets,” said Apoorv Bhargava, CEO of WeaveGrid, in a press release. “Working together, we are accelerating the adoption of EVs by creating a delightful driver experience and providing utilities with the tools they need to manage the grid. This investment will enable us to further expand our platform, invest in research and development, and forge deeper relationships with automakers and utilities alike.”

Toyota says the collaboration will also examine how vehicle batteries can serve dual purposes for vehicle propulsion and home energy needs in ways that benefit drivers of BEVs, PHEVs, and the grid.

WeaveGrid says its technology handles automakers’ data from their software-defined EVs with security while also contributing to grid stability.

“WeaveGrid’s EV Management System (EVMS) enables grid-integrated EV charging and offers a comprehensive suite of solutions for utilities, including vehicle-to-grid capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and a patented approach to electric distribution optimization, in a moment of load growth driven by electrification and AI data centers,” WeaveGrid said in a press release. “At the same time, EV drivers will feel empowered, knowing they are charging their vehicles with clean, reliable, and affordable power.”

By 2030, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that there could be more than 10 times more BEVs and PHEVs on the road in the U.S., contributing to a dramatic increase in electricity consumption, the release states.

“Toyota is committed to making investments in technologies and solutions to provide greater insights for our customers and electric utility partners into how vehicles will interface with their homes and the electric grid,” said Christopher Yang, Toyota EV Charging Solutions group vice president, in the release. “With more Toyota BEV and PHEV customers than ever before, we are looking to ensure that they will be met with a high-quality experience that enriches their ownership journey.”

WeaveGrid takes a systems-oriented approach under the philosophy that the energy and transportation sectors need to be further integrated and transformed to help utilities absorb the coming wave of vehicle electrification from automakers like Toyota, the release says.

“As Toyota aims to expand the number of BEV and PHEV vehicles we offer, our goal remains to ensure the ownership experience is as seamless and customer-friendly as it has been with the vehicles we’ve built our reputation on in the U.S. over the last 67 years,” Yang said, in the release. “Investing in our infrastructure with WeaveGrid has the potential to provide customers and power utilities with mutual benefits that align with our mission to contribute to the goal of a carbon-neutral society.”

Hyundai has also announced improved charging efforts by offering free North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters to certain current and new EV owners beginning during the first quarter of this year.

Hyundai EV owners who purchase or lease their vehicle on or before Jan. 31, 2025 can request a free adapter (shipping included) through the MyHyundai owner portal. The Hyundai-authorized adapter will give CCS-port-equipped Hyundai EV drivers access to more than 20,000 Tesla Superchargers in the U.S.

Free adapters will be available to eligible owners of the following models:

• • Model year 2024 and earlier KONA Electric
  • Model year 2024 and earlier IONIQ hatchback
  • Model year 2024 and earlier IONIQ 5
  • Model year 2024 and earlier IONIQ 6
  • 2025 IONIQ 6
  • 2025 IONIQ 5 N
  • 2025 KONA Electric

“To accelerate EV adoption, we started by listening to our current owners,” said Olabisi Boyle, Hyundai Motor North America product planning and mobility strategy senior vice president, in a press release. “These adapters will make DC fast-charging more convenient for current owners. Plus, the NACS port on new models like the upcoming IONIQ 9, along with improvements to our digital charging ecosystem, will further enhance the customer experience for future EV drivers. Our goal is to make the transition to electric seamless.”

Details, instructions, and terms and conditions related to the process for owners to claim their complimentary adapter as well as adapter unit pricing will be released later this year.

Genesis has also announced its participation in the program, with details to be revealed soon, the release says.

Images

Featured image: 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited (Provided by Toyota)

A NACS-equipped 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited is pictures connected to a Tesla Supercharger in Buelton, California on Aug. 26, 2024. (Provided by Hyundai)