Working with major utilities around the country, Ford engineers have been developing an intelligent system that allows plug-in hybrid vehicles to communicate with the nation's power grid. The goal is a programmable charging capability that essentially lets consumers set "charging patterns" in electric vehicles in the same way they set up home appliances to reduce energy consumption and, in this case, auto emissions.

The goal of Ford's "power split architecture" underpinning its vehicle-to-grid communications system is to test the performance and gain experience with programmable charging of plug-in hybrids. In so doing, engineers hope to gather information on a new interface developed by the auto maker.

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The vehicle-to-grid system uses a Zigbee wireless link to connect users to its system. The link connects an plug-in hybrid interface integrated with the car's navigation system to interact with the power grid. In this way, users can determine when and for how long to recharge car batteries. The system can be programmed so that recharging takes place during off-peak hours when utility rates are lowest.

When deployed, the system would "talk" directly to the nation's electric grid to reduce the cost of recharging batteries in electric vehicles, Ford engineers said in interviews.

So far, Ford and its 13 research partners that include utilities, the U.S. Energy Department and the Electric Power Research Institute have conducted more than 75,000 miles of plug-in hybrid testing. Ford plans to introduce a battery electric commercial van next year followed by a battery electric Focus compact car in 2011. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and a "next-generation hybrid electric vehicle" are due in 2012.

The auto maker's vehicle-to-grid system includes a "Smart Gauge" hybrid inactive display and applications software called the Ford Work Solutions that runs the navigation system's laptop-like menu.

So far, Ford has deployed a fleet of 21 plug-in hybid Escape small SUVs equipped with its vehicle-to-grid communications technolgy that are being used to test the system. "The goal is not to create something unique to Ford" but rather a system that works for all utilities and even other car makers, said Sherif Marakby, chief engineer for Ford's Hybrid Systems unit.

Added Nancy Gioia, director of Ford's Sustainable Mobility Technologies unit: "For widespread adoption, the infrastructure to support the technology needs to be in place and we need to ensure that the national grid can support increased electric demand" from plug-in hybrids.