Kia Motors America provided the Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) Soul EVs as part of their collaboration on the development and demonstration of Vehicle-to-Grid advanced smart charging software algorithms. While connected to the grid, a Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) system allows battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) to communicate with the grid in a bio-directional power flow, enabling the vehicle to provide energy storage and manage grid resource operation.

Through this demonstration, both APEP and Kia will increase their understanding of how BEVs are managed on the grid while identifying challenges and solutions for V2G deployment. Kia's green car roadmap program emphasizes the expansion of electric vehicles over a five year period and this partnership will contribute to improving advanced smart charging technologies.