SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Vehicle-Grid Integration Council (VGIC) has released a landmark resource - Best Practices for Vehicle-Grid Integration Program and Pilot Development - developed through its Utility Collaboration Forum (UCF). The document provides essential guidance for utilities and regulators designing and implementing VGI initiatives, addressing a critical gap in existing literature and fostering consistency across North America.
“With VGI playing an increasingly vital role in grid resilience, affordability, and efficiency, these best practices offer a much-needed framework for utilities, policy leaders, and industry stakeholders to develop effective programs that deliver benefits to EV drivers, the grid, and non-participating utility customers,” said Zach Woogen, Executive Director of VGIC.
To build on this momentum, VGIC and the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) have partnered to co-host the UCF in 2025. This collaboration brings together SEPA’s expertise in VGI research and cross-stakeholder convenings with VGIC’s deep policy and industry engagement. Together, the organizations will drive VGI progress by tackling implementation challenges and creating practical tools for utilities, industry leaders, and regulators.
“The VGIC-SEPA partnership identifies scalable, customer-centric VGI solutions,” said Garrett Fitzgerald, Senior Director of Transportation Electrification at SEPA. “By bringing together key stakeholders, we are accelerating the adoption of managed and bidirectional charging programs that enhance grid reliability, affordability, and efficiency.”
Expanding Collaboration and Real-World Implementation
The UCF provides a dedicated platform for utilities and industry leaders to co-develop best practices, address technical and policy challenges, and explore emerging opportunities in the VGI space. The 2025 UCF will focus on developing additional tools, fostering deeper collaboration between stakeholders, and refining our understanding of VGI's value for the grid and consumers.
UCF sessions will include:
- Virtual plenary meetings featuring experts engaged in real-world VGI program implementation.
- Facilitated deep dives with targeted stakeholder groups to tackle specific technical, regulatory, and market challenges.
- An in-person plenary session during Vehicle-Grid Integration Week on May 6, 2025, in San Ramon, CA, co-located with the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) Infrastructure Working Council (IWC) and the V2G Business, Policy, and Technology Forum. A virtual option will also be available.
Engaging New Utility Partners
In 2024, participating utilities included BC Hydro, Consolidated Edison, National Grid, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Puget Sound Energy, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison, as well as VGIC Associate Members Clean Power Alliance, Holy Cross Energy, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
For 2025, VGIC and SEPA invite additional utilities and industry leaders to join the UCF and contribute to shaping the future of VGI implementation.
Get Involved
Read the full Best Practices for Vehicle-Grid Integration Program and Pilot Development.
For those interested in joining the UCF, contact Shannon McGuire at [email protected].
Vehicle-Grid Integration Council (VGIC) is a national 501(c)(6) membership-based trade association committed to advancing the role of electric vehicle grid integration (VGI) through policy development, education, outreach, and research. VGIC is the only association dedicated to growing the market to recognize and compensate the value of VGI services to support a more reliable, affordable, and efficient electric grid. VGIC members include American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Fermata Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Nissan Group of North America, Bidirectional Energy, BorgWarner, dcbel, Eaton, Emporia, EnergyHub, ev.energy, Gravity, GridBeyond, Gridwiz, Hyundai Cradle, Kaluza, Landis+Gyr, LG Innotek, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc., Orange Charger, Peak Power, PowerFlex, Stellantis, Sumitomo Electric, Sunrun, Tesla, The Mobility House, Toyota Motor North America, Inc., WeaveGrid, Clean Power Alliance, Holy Cross Energy, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. To learn more, visit vgicouncil.org.
The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a 501(c)(3) organization with over 1,000 members, accelerates the transition to a clean, affordable, and resilient electricity system for all. SEPA engages with its diverse membership -- which includes utilities, policymakers, regulators, and technology companies -- through education, collaboration and convening, and the search for innovative policy, regulatory, and technology solutions. For more information, please visit www.sepapower.org.