EVs serve as mobile batteries during power outages
EV charging occurs during flexible off-peak hours
EV investments fund grid upgrades and lower costs
EVs replace gasoline combustion improving air quality
EVs help store excess renewable energy for peak demand
📖 Full Retelling
Ken Alex, a guest contributor writing on February 25, 2026, argues in California that electric vehicles are not a strain on the power grid but rather a critical solution to the state's electricity challenges, particularly in wildfire-prone areas where public safety power shutoffs have become increasingly common. When wildfire risk spikes in Southern California, utilities often preemptively cut electricity to prevent sparking fires, leaving families without power for essential needs. Unlike data centers that require constant electricity, EV charging primarily occurs during off-peak hours overnight when electricity is cheapest and renewable generation is abundant, allowing utilities to manage loads more effectively. Modern EVs essentially function as large mobile batteries, with many carrying 40 to over 100 kilowatt-hours of stored energy—substantially more than typical home backup systems—enabling bidirectional power capabilities that allow homes to draw electricity during extended outages. This transforms vehicles from potential liabilities into critical resilience assets that can keep food from spoiling, medical equipment running, and families connected during emergencies when traditional power sources fail.
🏷️ Themes
Grid Resilience, Renewable Integration, Electric Vehicle Benefits, Climate Adaptation
Power Grid is the English-language version of the second edition of the multiplayer German-style board game Funkenschlag, designed by Friedemann Friese and first released in 2004. Power Grid was released by Rio Grande Games.
In the game, each player represents a company which owns power plants and t...
Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) is an American energy holding company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The company is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. BHE owns and operates a diverse portfolio of utility and energy businesses, providing electricity and natural gas to more than ...
An electric vehicle (EV) is a motorized vehicle whose propulsion is provided fully or mostly by electric power, via grid electricity or from onboard rechargeable batteries. EVs encompass a wide range of transportation modes, including road (electric cars, buses, trucks and personal transporters) and...
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Original Source
By Ken Alex Guest contributor Feb. 25, 2026 3 AM PT 5 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix max-w-170 mt-7.5 mb-10 mx-auto" data-subscriber-content> When wildfire risk spikes in Southern California, the lights often go out before the flames arrive. Public safety power shutoffs have become a grim ritual: Utilities cut electricity to prevent sparking fires, leaving families without refrigeration, medical devices, internet access or a way to cool their homes during heat waves. For many in Los Angeles, resilience now means planning for outages — not assuming the grid will always be there. That reality makes one thing clear: California doesn’t just need more electricity. It needs smarter, more flexible power. And electric vehicles, often portrayed as a strain on the grid, are actually one of the most powerful tools we have to strengthen it. The California Energy Commission’s latest forecast projects a major rise in electricity demand through 2045, with EVs expected to be the largest driver of that growth — even larger than data centers. EVs account for roughly one-third of projected demand growth, a fact critics often cite as a warning sign. Advertisement But that projection should be seen for what it is: an opportunity. EVs are a solution that California must intentionally harness for people and for the grid. Unlike data centers, which require massive amounts of electricity around the clock, EV charging is flexible. Most EV charging happens at home overnight or during other low-demand periods, when electricity is cheapest and renewable generation is high. Managed charging systems enable this by allowing EV owners to take advantage of discounted utility rates. Utilities already plan for load growth, and EVs are no...
