Can Parked EVs Really Power the Grid?

Pilot projects from Fermata Energy, Nissan, and PG&E hint at EVs’ growing role in grid resilience

5 Jan 2026

Electric vehicles are beginning to play a new role in the U.S. energy system, one that extends beyond transportation and into power supply. Through early pilot projects, utilities and technology providers are testing whether EVs equipped with bidirectional charging can send electricity back to local grids, helping support reliability during routine operations and outages.

One such demonstration is underway in Northern California at a regional airport that operates on a self-contained microgrid. There, electric vehicles are being used not only to move passengers and staff but also as mobile energy resources. The pilot, led by Fermata Energy in partnership with Nissan and Pacific Gas & Electric, is designed to assess how EV batteries might support microgrid performance and provide backup power during disruptions, rather than serve as a model for immediate large-scale deployment.

The project reflects a broader reassessment taking place across the energy sector. Utilities face rising electricity demand, more frequent extreme weather events, grid congestion and the rapid growth of renewable energy. Against that backdrop, bidirectional charging is being explored as one option among many. Instead of relying solely on new power plants or stationary batteries, utilities are evaluating whether energy already stored in parked vehicles could play a limited, supplemental role.

Fermata Energy provided the charging equipment and software that manage how vehicles respond to signals from the microgrid. The company has emphasized proving that vehicle-to-grid systems can operate reliably without disrupting everyday vehicle use. Analysts familiar with the effort said demonstrations under controlled utility conditions are a necessary precursor to any wider consideration.

For Nissan, the pilot aligns with a strategy to expand the practical value of electric vehicles. Models capable of powering buildings or supporting localized energy systems during outages could be especially attractive in regions prone to disruptions. PG&E, for its part, is using the project to study how groups of EVs might eventually complement existing grid resources, rather than replace them.

Still, significant hurdles remain. Compensation for vehicle owners, impacts on battery life, technical standards and scalability are unresolved questions. Current pilots involve small fleets in specific settings, not widespread grid integration. Even so, industry observers point to gradual progress, suggesting these early experiments could help shape how EVs are incorporated into a more flexible energy system in the years ahead.