In order to assess where and when residential electric vehicle (EV) owners are charging and drawing large amounts of power from the grid as well as how to best respond to increased demand on the distribution system, Fortis Alberta is looking for EV owners across the company's service area to participate in the 2023 Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Pilot.

FortisAlberta is looking for up to 600 residential EV owners throughout its service territory to participate. The pilot will launch this month and run for approximately one year, ending on December 31, 2023.

"FortisAlberta’s EV Smart Charging Pilot will provide insight into how to best respond to increased demand on the distribution system as we look to optimize the grid and minimize distribution costs for all customers," the company stated on their website. "As EV adoption continues to climb throughout the province, and more and more EVs hit Alberta roads, the data collected will support FortisAlberta in maintaining a reliant, resilient distribution system long into the future."

The project is in collaboration with Optiwatt and those who drive the following models are eligible to register for the pilot:

  • Audi, e-tron and Q4 e-tron
  • BMW*, i3
  • Chevrolet*, Bolt EUV, Bolt, and Spark
  • Ford**, F150 Lightning, Focus Electric, and Mach-e
  • Jaguar, I-Pace
  • Kia*, EV6, and Soul EV
  • Mercedes-Benz*, EQS
  • Mini*, SE Hardtop
  • Nissan*, Leaf
  • Rivian, R1S, and R1T
  • Tesla, 3, S, X, and Y
  • Volkswagen*, e-Golf, and ID.4

There are more than 5,600 EVs registered in Alberta, which indicated a 900 per cent increase since 2018. The Alberta Electric System Operator estimates that by 2035, there will be 1.5 million EV cars on Alberta roads. 

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