Ford plug-in customers can now purchase a Ford-approved 240-volt charger and schedule a turnkey professional installation with a telephone call to AeroVironment.

AeroVironment also said that soon customers will also have a Web-based option for ordering their home charging package or purchasing their charging station.

The company’s 240-volt home charging package allows Ford’s plug-in hybrid models, C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi, to recharge in 2.5 hours, giving drivers another 21 miles of all-electric driving.

The Focus Electric will be ready for 76 miles of all-electric driving in less than 4 hours.

By comparison, charging the Focus Electric from a standard 120-volt wall outlet can require 18 to 20 hours for a full recharge.

AeroVironment said it brings extensive experience in plug-in electric vehicle charging solutions to Ford, with more than 11,000 charging stations deployed across North America. In addition to charging hardware, the company also offers the convenience of turnkey, professional installation performed by its nationwide network of certified installers and supported by a three-year onsite parts and labor warranty.

Many customers will have the opportunity to schedule a charging station installation in a single visit, without the need for a preliminary site consultation, depending on local regulations and the layout of their property.

“AeroVironment looks forward to delivering a complete home charging solution to Ford plug-in customers so they can enjoy the benefits and convenience of faster charging and cleaner driving,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business segment. “Turning home garages into electric vehicle refueling stations with a single telephone call is one of several ways we work with transportation leaders like Ford to make it easy for drivers to enjoy the benefits of plug-in electric vehicles.”

Aerovironment can be reached at 1 (888) 219-6747.

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Both parties involved said that the technology may result in lower-cost electricity for plug-in vehicle drivers due to the grid support functions provided during vehicle charging.

AeroVironment will use a portion of the licensed PNNL technology in a new prototype version of its industry-leading Level II charging systems.

“We are working to broaden the adoption of plug-in vehicles to help achieve America’s environmental, economic and energy security goals,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems (EES) business segment. “While easily and reliably recharging PEVs, this grid-friendly charging system will also improve grid performance, turning PEVs and their chargers into a valuable solution to a broader challenge.”

The licensed PNNL technology can help stabilize the electrical grid by continuously monitoring the grid’s alternating current (AC) frequency and varying the vehicle charging rate in response.

Additionally, in the event of a rapid drop in grid frequency, the charging system stops charging, providing a grid “shock absorber.” Such rapid frequency drops, while small in overall magnitude, indicate that a fault condition has occurred somewhere on the grid and that there is an imbalance between load and electricity generation. By reducing load the system can be rebalanced.

Conventional power plants make continual power generation adjustments based on precisely measured grid frequency in order to maintain a nearly constant frequency of 60 cycles per second. As renewable generation sources such as wind and solar grow in overall share, the overall frequency-responsive generation capability provided by conventional power plants is gradually decreasing.

AeroVironment and PNNL said their frequency-responsive technology brings this same grid frequency support capability to PEV charging stations.

AeroVironment and PNNL share the vision that with millions of plug-in vehicles charging at any given time, modulating the aggregate charging rate of PEVs can help control grid frequency and support the integration of variable renewable generation sources, such as wind and solar.

“These technologies will result in a triple-win,” said Dr. Alec Brooks, chief technology officer of AeroVironment’s EES business segment. “First, reducing the cost of integrating variable renewable generation reduces electricity costs for all ratepayers. Second, plug-in cars can be powered by renewable generation that might not have been possible to add to the grid without the charging rate flexibility offered by vehicles and this technology. Third, the reduced cost of electricity to plug-in vehicle drivers will further improve on the cost advantage of driving on electricity as compared to gasoline.”

Prototypes of the new AeroVironment charging system are available immediately for beta testing. The prototypes include Bluetooth wireless connectivity for data streaming and local control functions.

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The program, launched at the National Automotive Dealers Association Convention and Expo in Orlando, Florida this weekend, allows customers to finance the charger in combination with the vehicle at the time of sale.

The program, which is said by AeroVironment to be the first of its kind, makes dealerships one-stop-shops for EV drivers.

EVs and PHEVs typically come equipped with a Level 1 120 Volt charger. Through AeroVironment’s dealer program, new owners can now purchase an EVSE-RS Level 2 240 Volt residential charging station that reduces charge time by more than half.

“AeroVironment has decades of experience providing complete charging solutions that support the practical transition to electric vehicles,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business segment. “With our new dealer program, AeroVironment is putting the second half of the EV equation – the home charger – at the vehicle’s point of sale. This makes it easier for drivers to purchase, and for dealers to participate more actively in the evolution toward clean, electric transportation.”

Dealers will be able to offer customers various warranty options that match the financing terms of the vehicle. AeroVironment said chargers bought through the dealer program are installed by a licensed electrician certified in EV charging installation. If needed, AeroVironment also provides at-home, in-person support.

AeroVironment is the preferred home charging supplier of the Nissan Leaf, BMW ActiveE, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

The company’s line of home charging systems includes the standard Level 2 home charging system and a do-it-yourself wall-mounted “plug-in” unit that is available for dealer stock.

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