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Nissan joins ChargeScape, a way for EV owners to sell watts back to the grid

electrify america home charging station for electric cars
Electrify America

EV owners already enjoy the benefits of knowing their vehicle is charging up quietly while they sleep. Now they can dream about how much money they can make in the process.

That’s the bet Nissan is making by joining ChargeScape, a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) venture that is already backed by BMW, Ford, and Honda.

ChargeScape’s software wirelessly connects electric vehicles to power grids and utility companies. When connected with ChargeScape’s platform, EV drivers can receive financial incentives for temporarily pausing charging during periods of high demand. ChargeScape says they will eventually also be able to sell the energy stored in their vehicle’s battery back to the power grid.

A 2021 study by the University of Rochester found that EV owners could save up to $150 a year by using V2G technology. But the technology has evolved in recent years. V2G company Fermata Energy says that in some circumstances, a customer using its bi-directional charger was able to save $187.50 in 15 minutes by drawing energy from a Nissan LEAF to avoid costly demand charges.

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Nissan intends to roll out the ChargeScape technology to its EV drivers across the U.S. and Canada. The company says the move is of particular significance given its U.S. sales of 650,000 Leaf models, one of the first EVs with the capability to export power back to the grid.

ChargeScape, which launched in September, is equally owned by BMW, Ford, Honda, and now Nissan. But it expects other automakers to join the party.

In August, GM announced that V2G technology will become standard in all its model year 2026 models.

The project comes at a time when EV sales and infrastructure growth are ramping up quickly, along with challenges for the electric grid. Simply put, more EVs on the road means more demand on utilities to provide the needed power.

At the same time, more and more EV makers seek to incorporate automotive software that provide advanced driver aids and other connected features.

With vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology quickly spreading, ChargeScape is entering a landscape where competitors such as ChargePoint, Electrify America, Fermata Energy, and BP Pulse are already vying for a piece of the action.

But there is one good reason for ChargeScape to move in now: Tesla, which otherwise dominates the field in the U.S., has so far backed off from embracing V2G technology, focusing instead on its Powerwall home-battery solution to store solar energy and provide backup power. However, CEO Elon Musk has hinted that Tesla could introduce V2G technology for its vehicles in 2025.

Scout Motors creates connections with its new electric Terra truck and Traveler SUV
Scout Terra and Traveler driving onto the compass-face stage.

Scout Motors invited roughly 300 people to the hills of Franklin, Tennessee, to reveal the Scout Traveler SUV and Terra truck electric concept vehicles. The automaker brought in journalists such as myself, active lifestyle bloggers, YouTubers, automotive industry analysts, and enthusiasts and fans of the original International Harvester Scout.

Scout Motors calls the new, rugged vehicle the Connection Machine. The reveal event aimed to establish a solid connection between the concept EVs and the attendees. The automaker also used the occasion to announce the immediate ability to reserve a Scout vehicle with a $100 fully refundable deposit.
The Scout legend

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Scout Motors Traveler SUV: everything we know so far
Scout Motors Traveler SUV in a forest

After years of rumors, Scout Motors is back. Volkswagen has revived the classic car brand, but with an electrified touch. The company has actually launched two new electric vehicles with the Scout Motors branding, including a truck and an SUV, which is called the Scout Motors Traveler SUV.

The Scout Motors Traveler SUV may be a sub-brand under the Volkswagen Group, but the vehicle actually makes use of a totally new EV platform that's completely unique to Scout, instead of a platform already in use by other Volkswagen brands. Not only that, while the Traveler SUV is available as an all-electric vehicle, it's also available as a so-called EREV, or extended range EV, which features a gasoline engine that's used to charge the battery.

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Scout Motors Terra electric truck: everything we know
Scout Motors Terra truck front

There's a new rugged electric vehicle manufacturer in town, or rather an old one that's being revived in the era of EVs. Scout Motors is now a Volkswagen brand, and it recently unveiled its vision for an electric SUV and electric truck. The Scout Motors Terra truck is set to go head-to-head with the likes of the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and even the Tesla Cybertruck.

The Terra actually has a few interesting features that could set it apart from the competition while coming in at a lower price point. Curious about the Scout Motors Terra electric truck and whether or not it could be your next vehicle? Here's everything we know about it so far.
Design
It's clear that Scout Motors is shooting for a modern retro look with its latest vehicles. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel, like Tesla is with the Cybertruck, but rather aiming to refine the truck while paying homage to the Scout Motors vehicles of old.

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