A combination of recent data, proposed legislation, and Synop's advancements in virtual power plants (VPP) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities have strengthened my belief that we are making significant progress in replacing peaker plants as the primary source of easily dispatchable generation. For context, V2G is a subset of VPP capabilities that encompass various grid services, including V1G and others. These services involve controllable loads and distributed generators contributing to the balancing of electricity supply and demand. Traditionally, peaker plants primarily powered by natural gas were employed for this purpose, but they generate higher emissions compared to a VPP consisting of loads powered by clean energy sources, such as solar and wind, stored in stationary and vehicular storage systems.

‍Recent data: The Brattle Group recently conducted a study comparing the costs of a VPP and a peaker plant. The results showed that a VPP is 40-60% cheaper, and when considering societal benefits, it actually yields a net negative cost. These figures are supported by an excellent analysis that highlights we are at an inflection point for VPP deployments.

‍Proposed legislation: Senate Bill 233 in California would mandate V2G capabilities for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Considering the matrix of OEMs offering V2G functionality, this requirement is essential. However, it should not be considered the only approach. I strongly believe that price signals, and the availability ofV2G programs, are even more critical  in driving progress. Once the price signal and economic incentives are in place, the industry stakeholders (charger and vehicle manufactures) will follow based on pressure from their customers.

‍Synop advancements: In recent weeks, Synop has executed 2MWh of V2G activity. This includes coordinating V2G across a bank of chargers while also optimizing vehicle state of charge to ensure it meets V2G event requirements while maintaining sufficient charge for the morning's routes. Notably, when setting the charging schedule for the V2G events, the Synop platform had to take into account numerous constraints including:

1. Ensuring the vehicle has enough energy to meet its commitment to the utility.
2. Maintained sufficient state of charge while pre-conditioning the vehicle for the event.
3. Actively managed the event at a vehicle level in order to modulate discharge to reach target SOC by event conclusion and ensure vehicle and charger readiness for recharge.
4. Enabling the vehicle to be recharged after the event to meet its mileage needs for the morning departure.

VPPs have long been considered the holy grail of low emission, distributed, more cost effective capacity.  It now appears we are approaching that long-awaited inflection point. It’s VPPs time to shine, and I’m proud of the work our Synop team is doing to push the envelope.

‍Interested in Synop software? Click here to book a demo!

Read this success story to learn how Synop helped a commercial EV bus company overcome the challenge of managing charging operations in sub-zero temperatures, leading to improved performance and reduced costs.

‍Challenge: Managing EV charging operations in sub-zero temperatures

It is no secret that the performance of electric vehicles can be impacted by cold temperatures, making it challenging for vehicles to perform optimally in locations with extreme weather conditions. Furthermore, certain chargers lose "the handshake" with the vehicle when the state of charge reaches 100%, which means a charger needs to be disconnected/reconnected to regain the handshake with the vehicle. This was the challenge faced by Minnesota Coaches, a commercial bus company which operates fleets for school districts in Minnesota, where temperatures can reach sub-zero levels. The company needed a way to ensure that the batteries in their electric school buses were warmed in the morning before departure to ensure optimal performance on their route.  In parallel, the company desired to maintain the handshake with the vehicle throughout its dwell time at the depot to ensure the vehicle had the optimal state of charge upon departure.

Solution: Synop's advanced managed charging system

‍Synop's advanced managed charging system proved to be a perfect fit for Minnesota Coaches' challenge of warming EV batteries ahead of departure, while also maintaining an optimal state of charge. The software platform's smart scheduling algorithms ensured that the buses were charged to around 90% of their state of charge throughout the night via a trickle amperage, which prevented the charger from losing connectivity. In the morning, the Synop platform scheduled a charging session to warm up the batteries and get them to an ideal operating temperature, ensuring optimal performance upon departure.

To further optimize the charging process, the Synop platform scheduled multiple charging sessions throughout the evening with different parameters. These sessions were designed to meet the required state of charge, while minimizing the cost of charging and maintaining optimal battery and cabin temperatures. By doing so, Synop's platform was able to ensure that the EV buses were always ready to go and perform at their best, regardless of the weather condition.

‍Results: Improved performance and reduced costs

‍The Synop platform's flexibility and configurability helped Minnesota Coaches overcome the operational challenges of managing EV charging operations in sub-zero temperatures. The advanced managed charging system ensured optimal battery performance, reduced operational costs, and improved overall performance. Synop provides a comprehensive solution for commercial EV fleets to manage their charging operations, even in challenging weather conditions. By optimizing various operational parameters, Synop's platform ensures that commercial EV fleets maximize uptime and minimize costs, ultimately helping to scale EV adoption.

‍Interested in Synop software? Click here to book a demo.

One of the key takeaways from this year's Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo is the urgent need for decarbonization in the trucking industry, particularly in California. As the state continues to grapple with air pollution and climate change, it has been developing the draft Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation as part of a broader strategy to deploy medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) everywhere feasible. Drayage fleets, which are responsible for transporting cargo containers within ports and railyards, are a crucial part of this effort and will be subject to significant regulatory changes starting in 2024.

According to the ACF draft regulation, all drayage trucks entering seaports and intermodal railyards in California would be required to be zero-emission by 2035. This means that beginning January 1, 2024, trucks must be registered in the CARB Online System to conduct drayage activities in the state. Non-zero-emission “legacy” drayage trucks may register in the CARB Online System through December 31, 2023, and can continue to operate through their minimum useful life. However, from January 1, 2024, only zero-emission drayage trucks may register in the CARB Online System

Synop, a charging and energy management software platform for commercial electric vehicle (EVs), has been working in drayage to help fleets manage the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Here are the top four ways Synop is helping facilitate drayage fleet and charging operators in this transition:
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1. Synop assists drayage fleet operators by optimizing charging schedules based on the cost of charging. This ensures that every penny counts for small drayage fleets, helping them maximize efficiency and minimize charging expenses.
2. Synop enables drayage fleet operators to effectively report on emissions targets and facilitates the generation of Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits. By providing robust reporting capabilities, Synop supports fleet operators in monitoring their sustainability efforts and demonstrating their commitment to reducing emissions.
3. Synop simplifies the complexity of charging at depots and home for drayage fleet operators. The software platform streamlines the charging process, ensuring efficient operations and convenient charging for employees. It also includes features to manage reimbursements for employees who take vehicles home, further incentivizing the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
4. Synop aids drayage charging operators in managing subscriptions to charging hubs. Whether it involves accessing public charging infrastructure or coordinating with third-party charging providers, Synop's platform offers seamless subscription management, making it easier for charging operators to handle and optimize charging services.

The transition to EV fleets is a significant step towards reducing emissions in the drayage sector, which has been a major contributor to air pollution in California. Drayage trucks, which typically operate within a 50-mile radius, are responsible for transporting a significant portion of the goods that enter and exit California's ports. However, these trucks are often older and less efficient, leading to high levels of emissions and poor air quality in the surrounding communities.

Synop's software platform is vendor-agnostic and designed for easy deployment, making it an ideal solution for drayage fleets that need to rapidly transition to zero-emission vehicles. As California continues to implement new regulations aimed at reducing emissions in the trucking industry, the need for solutions like Synop's will only increase. With the right tools and support, fleets can successfully navigate the transition to zero-emission vehicles, helping to reduce emissions and improve air quality in communities across California and beyond.

Is your drayage fleet transitioning to EVs? Click here to book a demo!

The partnership provides utilities with improved grid intelligence while enabling commercial EV fleets to generate revenue from charging assets.

New York (May 2, 2023) – Approximately two million commercial electric vehicles (EVs) will be on the road by 2030. A new partnership between EnergyHub, the utility industry’s most experienced provider of distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS), and Synop, a charging and energy management software company for commercial EV fleets, prepares utilities and fleet owners for an EV-centric future.

The EnergyHub EV/Synop integration combines the grid management expertise of EnergyHub with Synop’s dynamic power and energy management capabilities for fleet operators. The pairing provides utilities with increased asset visibility and control, while commercial fleet operators benefit from streamlined utility program enrollment processes and can generate additional revenue from charging assets.

The integration is giving utilities even greater access to Highland Electric Fleets, a leading North American provider of turnkey fleet electrification-as-a-service, and BorgWarner, one of the largest automotive suppliers to support EV fleets and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.

”Combining Synop’s technology with the EnergyHub EV platform allows us to provide utilities with a solution that enables the acceleration of  fleet electrification.The combined platforms optimize the build-out of the grid while keeping the EV fleet operator at the core of everything we do.” said Jeff Huron, Senior Manager, EV Business Development at EnergyHub. “The integration with Synop supports scalable, sustainable fleet data collection as well as V1G and V2X use cases, unlocking new value streams for utilities and fleet owners.”

The partnership extends Synop’s fleet charging management capabilities to enable fleet operators to generate additional revenue from grid services (V1G/V2G)  and enables utilities visibility and control of charging assets.

"Utilities hold the keys to achieving transportation electrification targets as they build the infrastructure needed to ensure charging demands can be met," said Mark Braby, Synop’s COO. “We will not get there unless utilities are working with fleet customers on energy management solutions - and that’s why the partnership between EnergyHub and Synop is so critical.”

EnergyHub and Synop plan to leverage their partnership to facilitate managed charging and V2G programs for utilities and ISOs across North America, delivering real-time pricing and asset control while meeting the highest security standards.

About EnergyHub

EnergyHub is the leading grid-edge DERMS provider. Utilities rely on EnergyHub’s DERMS platform to manage all distributed energy resources to serve grid and market objectives. EnergyHub works with over 60 utilities in North America to manage more than 1.35 GW of flexible capacity. We empower utilities and their customers to create a clean, distributed energy future. For more information, visit www.energyhub.com

About Synop

Synop provides an end-to-end EV software platform that is purpose-built to scale EV adoption by managing charging operations for commercial EV fleets with functionality that spans vehicle management, charging management, V2G energy management, and payment management. Through vendor-agnostic vehicle telematics and EV charging station integrations, Synop delivers AI-driven forecasting tools that optimize charging schedules to ensure commercial EV fleets maximize uptime and minimize cost. To learn more visit https://synop.ai.

At Synop, we are committed to accelerating the transition to electric commercial fleets by providing end-to-end software solutions that optimize charging and energy management, but we know that this transition will require industry-wide collaboration and support. That's why we are proud to partner with and sponsor several organizations dedicated to advancing the future of electric vehicle (EV) fleets. Synop aligns with organizations that support open standards, interoperability, and secure integrations between the grid and charging assets.

• Alliance for Transportation Electrification (ATE): ATE is a nonprofit organization that brings together stakeholders across the transportation and energy sectors to accelerate the deployment of electric transportation. We were excited to join ATE, given its strong positions on open standards and interoperability, as well as its effort to support collaboration between utilities and other industry allies. Utilities hold the keys to accelerating transportation electrification, and interoperability between the grid and charging assets will be crucial in accomplishing statewide and national electrification goals.‍
• North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE): NACFE is a nonprofit organization that works with fleets, manufacturers, and technology providers to improve the efficiency of North American freight operations. We were drawn to NACFE based on their leadership in educating fleet customers on electrification and monitoring case studies with fleet customers to share learnings across the industry.  We are proud to sponsor NACFE's mission to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in the freight sector through the adoption of electric and other clean technologies.‍
• CALSTART: CALSTART is a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating the transition to a clean transportation future.  We chose to join CALSTART as they have been a leader since the '90s in accelerating market adoption of EVs through innovative programs, validation of new technologies, and advocating for policies that support open standards and interoperability. As a member and sponsor of CALSTART, we look forward to working alongside other industry leaders to advance the adoption of clean transportation technologies, including EVs.‍
• Open Charge Alliance (OCA): OCA is an international coalition of key players in the public and private electric vehicle infrastructure sector, united in their mission to advance open standards by implementing the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) and the Open Smart Charging Protocol (OSCP). As a supporter of OCA, we are committed to promoting interoperability and making it easier for fleet operators to deploy and manage EV charging infrastructures.‍
• OpenADR Alliance: OpenADR is a nonprofit organization that develops and promotes open standards for automated demand response (ADR) in the energy sector. By supporting OpenADR, we are able to contribute to the development of standards that enable EVs to participate in demand response programs, providing benefits to both fleet operators and the grid.‍
• Vehicle-Grid Integration Council (VGIC): VGIC is a collaborative initiative uniting transportation and energy experts to seamlessly integrate electric vehicles into the power grid. As VGIC members, we work towards establishing standards that facilitate the interaction between EVs and the grid. This collaboration is essential for optimizing vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, benefiting grid stability and EV owners alike. Through VGIC, we contribute to efficient energy use, sustainable transportation, and grid resilience.

At Synop, we understand that supporting the future of fleet electrification requires collaboration across the industry. That's why we are proud to sponsor and support organizations like ATE, NACFE, CALSTART, OCA, OpenADR, and VGIC, each of which is dedicated to advancing the adoption of clean transportation technologies and developing open standards for EV infrastructure and energy management. We hope you will join us in supporting these organizations and accelerating the transition to a clean transportation future.

Read this case study to learn how Synop, in partnership with Highland Electric Fleets, BorgWarner, Proterra, and Thomas Built Buses, provided software solutions in a groundbreaking program using V2G technology for electric school buses (ESBs).

Challenge:

‍The North American electric grid is facing mounting challenges in its ability to provide reliable electricity, particularly in the face of extreme weather and surging peak loads. To address these challenges, backup power storage is essential, as demonstrated by recent events like Hurricane Ida, the Texas cold snaps, and the 2022 heatwave. It's critical for the electric grid to remain dependable and robust to keep vital services, such as nursing homes, healthcare facilities, and schools, running smoothly. As electrification continues to expand and more products and services are added to the grid, new and innovative solutions are needed to manage disruptions and minimize the impact of power outages or demand spikes on communities.

Solution:

Synop’s commercial charging and energy management software has the capability to transform EBSs into a practical solution that helps stabilize the electric grid. The software integrates with crucial components like vehicles, chargers, and utilities, enabling V2G transactions by receiving prompts from the utility for a specific time period. The platform then verifies the fleet charging schedule to confirm excess capacity. Upon validation, the platform delivers the appropriate charging schedule to the chargers using the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), and the excess energy is discharged from the battery back to the grid.

In addition to stabilizing grids with renewable energy and reducing emissions, V2G technology also reduces energy costs for EV fleet owners. Although bi-directional charging infrastructure is typically more expensive than traditional chargers, larger vehicles with bigger battery packs like school buses parked for most of the day have the shortest ROI. Additionally, more electric utilities are offering programs that compensate electric fleets and battery storage resources for discharging energy, generating revenue without affecting their regular operations.

‍Results:‍

During the summers of 2021 and 2022, Synop participated in a commercial V2G program for National Grid (electric utility). Led by Highland Electric Fleets (deployment manager) with BorgWarner (DC fast charging system), Proterra (battery and drivetrain technologies), and Thomas Built Buses (OEM vehicle), the 2021 program marked the first time battery storage from ESBs was used in a commercial V2G program in the United States. The results showed that one bus discharged 10.78 MWh hours to the Massachusetts grid over 158 hours across both summers, generating $23,500 in revenue.

This study showcases the potential of V2G technology in stabilizing the electric grid and reducing the cost of fleet electrification for school districts and municipal entities. The success of the program in using battery storage from ESBs in a commercial V2G program is a promising step toward a more sustainable future.

Interested in Synop software?

Click "Book A Demo" at the top right hand side of this webpage and fill out the form today!

Note: This Synop success story is a revised version of a case study published by BorgWarner in March 2023. That final paper can be found here for more details.

NEW YORK, New York (March 29, 2023) – Synop, the operations platform built to optimize charging and energy management for commercial electric fleets, today announced a partnership with BorgWarner (NYSE: BWA), to accelerate the next generation of revenue-generating opportunities for EV fleets using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities.

The partnership accelerates bidirectional V2G technology and provides monetization opportunities for fleet operators, lowering the overall cost of fleet ownership. Together, the two companies will supply fully-integrated hardware and software solutions, establish V2G testing and compatibility best practices, and take V2G technology beyond existing protocols to help optimize fleet operations while supporting utilities and the grid. 

"BorgWarner’s impressive global reach and status as one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world combined with Synop’s technology will help accelerate V2G technology from where it is today,” said Gagan Dhillon, CEO of Synop. "Together, we will be able to ensure interoperability to ultimately deliver next-level V2G technology to fleet operators worldwide.”

Beyond V2G, the partnership with BorgWarner, a global product leader in delivering innovative and sustainable mobility solutions for the vehicle market, will help resolve traditional challenges for EV fleets, such as system uptime, resilience to price volatility, charging mixed fleets, and will manage the total cost of fleet ownership. 

From utility programs the companies have jointly participated in, commercial fleets were able to make back a maximum of $12,000 per commercial vehicle over the summer by selling energy back to the grid. By aggregating power from all partners, curtailing demand, and stabilizing excess power flow to the grid, utilities were able to better prepare for severe weather events such as heat waves and cold snaps that cause significant strain on the grid.

“Our collaboration with Synop underscores our shared commitment to lead the transition to eMobility,” said Isabelle McKenzie, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Morse Systems. “The partnership will promote V2G capabilities for EV fleets, helping to reduce their carbon footprint and add grid stability while providing the ability to generate revenue by selling energy back to the grid during peak demand hours.”

By combining expertise in energy management solutions and hardware/software interoperability, Synop and BorgWarner are working towards more efficient use of energy resources and reducing emissions from transportation sources. Fleet operators interested in engaging this technology can learn more at synop.ai. 

‍About Synop

Synop provides an end-to-end EV software platform that is purpose-built to scale EV adoption by managing charging operations for commercial EV fleets with functionality that spans vehicle management, charging management, V2G energy management, and payment management. Through vendor-agnostic vehicle telematics and EV charging station integrations, Synop delivers AI-driven forecasting tools that optimize charging schedules to ensure commercial EV fleets maximize uptime and minimize cost. To learn more visit https://synop.ai.

‍About BorgWarner:

For more than 130 years, BorgWarner has been a transformative global product leader bringing successful mobility innovation to market. Today, we’re accelerating the world’s transition to eMobility — to help build a cleaner, healthier, safer future for all.

‍Media Contact‍

Anne Marie Hagerty
VSC for Synop
synop@vsc.co

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Synop CEO Gagan Dhillon was featured on The Weather Channel's "Pattrn" to discuss Synop's vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities and how our software can help bring relief to the grid during major weather events. We appreciate broadcast journalists Stephanie Abrams and Jordan Steele for taking the time to chat about the exciting potential of EV fleets.

• Enables electric and mixed-fuel fleets to be managed on a single, interoperable platform
• Integrated solution enables fleet operators to scale EVs across their operations as real-time data on charge levels and energy usage helps them maximize uptime and manage costs

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New York, New York and Toronto, Ontario (February 14, 2023) - Geotab Inc. (”Geotab”), a global leader in connected transportation solutions and Synop, the electric vehicle operations platform that maximizes fleet uptime and optimizes energy usage, today announced a partnership that will give fleet operators in North America access to integrated EV charging and energy management within Geotab’s software platform, MyGeotab.

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Commercial fleets, which include maintenance vehicles, delivery vans, semi-trucks, rental cars, government vehicles, and school buses, face many obstacles when integrating EVs, including energy price volatility, multiple charging requirements, and prolonged charge cycles. Integrating Synop’s software with Geotab’s data insights allows customers to manage their EV assets in real-time on a single, unified platform.

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”At Geotab, sustainability is core to our purpose. Actionable data insights and sustainable customer solutions are essential as we transition to a low-carbon future,” said Eric Mallia, VP of Sustainability Solutions at Geotab. “We’re thrilled to add Synop’s solution to our sustainability ecosystem, supporting our customers to better manage their EV fleet, reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.”

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With no additional hardware or installation required, fleet operators can easily identify current charge levels; anticipate when vehicles are expected to be fully charged; gauge necessary energy needed for upcoming trips; evaluate expenses associated with fueling up, and gain insights into the energy efficiency of each vehicle, all within their existing telematics platform.

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Customers with further needs, such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) support and energy time of use rates, will also have access to these controls within the integration.

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“Synop is expanding its reach exponentially with the help of Geotab’s robust ecosystem—giving fleets unprecedented access to a full suite of data-driven services,” said Gagan Dhillon, Co-Founder & CEO of Synop. “This integration not only makes mixed fleet management easier but also helps businesses realize all of the potential cost savings that EVs can offer. That is how we will accelerate the electrification of commercial transportation.”

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Synop is designed to support all commercial EV types and charging infrastructures and offers interoperability across mixed-fuel fleets. Synop is specifically designed for large commercial fleets to transform the performance of their EV operations and achieve sustainability commitments.

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To learn more about Synop and Geotab’s integrated solution, visit Synop.ai/Geotab.

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About Synop

Synop is a platform that optimizes energy usage and management for electric vehicle charging and fleet operations. Synop’s platform provides telematics integration, smart routing, and AI-driven forecasting tools to make charging more accessible and help commercial EV fleets optimize resources to give back to the power grid and provide energy for utilities. To learn more, visit https://www.synop.ai/.

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About Geotab

Geotab is a global leader in connected transportation solutions. We provide telematics  — vehicle and asset tracking — solutions to over forty thousand customers in 150 countries. For more than 20 years, we have invested in ground-breaking data research and innovation to enable partners and customers, including Fortune 500 and public sector organizations, to transform their fleets and operations. We connect to over 3.2 million vehicles and process more than 55 billion data points a day so that customers can make better decisions, increase productivity, have safer fleets, and achieve their sustainability goals. Geotab’s open platform and Marketplace, offers hundreds of third-party solution options. Backed by a team of industry leading data scientists and AI experts, Geotab is unlocking the power of data to understand real-time and predictive analytics — solving for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s world. To learn more, visit www.geotab.com, follow @GEOTAB on Twitter and LinkedIn or visit the Geotab Blog.

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All trademarks are property of their respective owners in Canada and other countries. Geotab, the Geotab logo and MyGeotab are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Geotab Inc. and/or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a legal partnership relationship between Geotab and any other company.

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Media Contacts

Rick Liebling

VSC on behalf of Synop

synop@vsc.co

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Hanna Corrente

Manager, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs, Geotab

pr@geotab.com

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The Biden-Harris administration’s goal to cut all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector got revved up in January with the release of the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Developed by the departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the plan represents a landmark strategy to address the climate crisis and eliminate nearly all greenhouse gas emissions from the sector by 2050.

By accelerating the transition to electric commercial fleets with software that connects vehicles, chargers and the grid, Synop is uniquely positioned to contribute to the success of this Blueprint. Not only do our solutions ease the challenges of EV fleet operations with scalable, smart charging, but as a leader in Vehicle to Grid (V2G) orchestration, we can help regulate energy on the grid and provide new financial opportunities for fleets.

Here are four reasons why we’re excited about the Blueprint:

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1. There is a plan. While the strategy may not be perfect, it demonstrates that the wheels are turning ― representing a significant starting point that is essential to the nation’s ability to achieve net-zero GHG emissions. Unlike many previous net-zero goals ― most of which were highlighted by lofty ambitions with little to no specific plans for attainment ― the Blueprint addresses the growing climate crisis with precise actions and tangible timelines to meet the goal of decarbonizing transportation. 

2. It highlights the need for grid support. The ability for the grid to handle mass electrification is one of the big question marks around the scaling of EVs. Furthermore, the general aging, degradation, and exposure of our grid to outages from weather events and other occurrences are becoming more commonplace. With the correct software intelligence, EV batteries can help solve both problems, and compared to other vehicle technologies, EVs are much more capable of supporting the grid. In fact, a recent study by IEEE found that EV batteries can meet meet grid demands for energy storage by as early as 2030, and by 2050 provide as much as 10 times the grid’s need for energy storage

Synop’s integration with the grid and other distributed energy resources (DERs) makes us ready to support these use cases. For example, during critical hours of grid stress this past summer, Synop worked in conjunction with National Grid to execute more than 70 MWH of V2G transactions, and we are currently executing a second V2G program with a utility in the NorthEast. Charging curtailment, V2G and V2X driven by intelligent software that connects the grid, vehicles and charging assets will be critical to scaling EVs to meet our net zero goals. 

3. It accurately describes R&D priorities . Considering the fact that the transportation sector represents the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States ― responsible for one-third of all emissions ― it’s not surprising that substantial research and development is needed to transform decarbonization goals into reality. In the near term, expect to see bolstered investment in EV batteries and more cost-effective vehicles; enhanced grid integration in the medium-term; and an increased focus on recycling in the long-term.   

In the same study cited above, researchers determined that short-term grid-storage demands globally could be satisfied if only 12 to 43 percent of all EVs took part in V2G applications ― with less than 10 percent needed to achieve this goal if half of all end-of-vehicle-life batteries were repurposed for grid storage. 

The findings prompted the study’s lead author to encourage policymakers to take note of the significant opportunities afforded by EV batteries. The more EV users who are able to hit the road to V2G participation, the more that electric vehicles can aid grid storage. 

4.  It incorporates multiple technologies. While Synop is focused on electric vehicles, we understand that multiple fuel and transportation technologies will likely be needed to reach the nation’s decarbonization goals. However, while research continues into the potential use of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel, electric vehicles (EVs) and their supporting infrastructure for clean transportation are well established. Already capable of operating closely with the grid and supporting stationary battery use, EV batteries are not only ready to assume a more significant role, but enable vehicles to be brought on board much faster than a hydrogen-based solution.

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Eliminating nearly all greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector by 2050 is a goal that will require bold, coordinated actions and close cooperation with governments at every level, as well as the private sector, nonprofits and global allies. With the unveiling of the nation’s Blueprint, a practical roadmap has been put in place to help the U.S. achieve its decarbonization goals and create a more sustainable system for generations to come. We at Synop are supportive of the roadmap and are doing our part to electrify commercial fleets one vehicle at a time.

Interested in learning about Synop's software platform for commercial EV fleets? Click "Book A Demo" at the top righthand side of this webpage and fill out the form today!