Turning Electric Vehicles into Power Partners for a Smarter Grid
Alectra’s Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Pilot explores how electric vehicles can do more than just drive — they can help power our communities.
Supported by Natural Resources Canada’s On-Road Transportation Decarbonization Fund and the IESO’s Grid Innovation Fund, this pilot is testing bidirectional charging technology for light- and medium-duty vehicles, with a special focus on electric school buses (ESBs).
Bidirectional charging allows an EV to both draw electricity from the grid and send stored energy back when needed. This two-way energy flow can strengthen grid reliability, lower energy costs, and make better use of clean power.
As Canada works toward 35% zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales by 2030 and 100% by 2040, ESBs offer a unique opportunity. They are idle during the summer and throughout the day during regular school months when electricity demand peaks. This makes them ideal for testing how stored battery energy can support the grid.
Through this initiative, Alectra will evaluate the feasibility, benefits, and revenue potential of bidirectional charging for ESBs, helping shape the future of V2X technology across Canada.
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What Makes the Alectra V2X Pilot Unique
Alectra’s V2X Pilot stands out for its focus on electric school buses as a powerful early example of how bidirectional charging can create real community value.
School buses follow predictable routes and spend much of their time parked — overnight, on weekends, and during the summer. This makes them ideal for demonstrating how stored battery energy can be shared with the grid to reduce costs and improve reliability.
Charging: During off-peak hours, the ESB charges using cleaner, lower-cost electricity.
Discharging: During high demand or high-price periods, the bus releases stored energy to the grid or to a nearby facility.
Smart Coordination: Software determines when buses charge or discharge, keeping the grid balanced while ensuring the buses remain ready for their routes.
Through this pilot, Alectra is showing that ESBs can do more than transport students. When connected through bidirectional charging, these buses can send electricity back to the grid when demand is high — keeping power stable and creating new revenue opportunities for bus operators.
Benefits of the Alectra V2X Pilot
At the heart of V2X technology is bidirectional charging, which enables a compatible EV and charger to both draw power from the grid and send it back when needed.
The Alectra V2X Pilot explores several real-world applications:
V2G (Vehicle-To-Grid): Using electric school buses within Alectra's territory, the pilot will demonstrate how fleets can supply power back to the grid and support local energy needs.
V2B (Vehicle-to-Building) and V2H (Vehicle-to-Home): Using Ford F-150 Lightening trucks and other light-duty vehicles, the pilot will demonstrate how EVs can provide power backup to buildings. These learnings will inform future V2H applications demonstrating how EVs can power homes during outages or peak periods, improving customer resiliency.
Together with its partners, Alectra is testing how vehicles, chargers, and the electricity grid can work safely, efficiently, and at scale within Ontario’s energy system.
More Reliable Power: Vehicles send energy back to the grid to help keep power stable during peak demand or outages.
Lower Energy Costs: Using stored energy from vehicles during high-demand periods can lower long-term electricity costs.
Cleaner Communities: Electric school buses lower emissions that improve air quality, while also reducing noise.
Stronger Local Economies: Fleet operators and transit providers can save money and reinvest in community services.
From a system perspective, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology redefines EVs as active components of the energy network.
Proves Reliability: Demonstrates that bidirectional charging can perform safely and consistently in real operating conditions.
Enables Smart Communication: Tests how V2G systems exchange data and coordinate with the grid for secure operation.
Strengthens Resilience: Adds flexible capacity to manage peak demand and better integrate renewable energy.
Enables Future Applications: Insights can extend to V2H and temporary or remote sites, such as construction zones.
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Industry Collaborations
The Alectra V2X pilot is a collaborative initiative that brings together school bus fleet operators, technology providers, research institutions, and not-for-profit partners to advance bidirectional charging in Ontario.
This collective effort promotes innovation, shared learning, and the integration of V2X technologies into the provincial grid.
The pilot is funded by Natural Resources Canada’s On-Road Transportation Decarbonization Program and the IESO Grid Innovation Fund.
For any queries regarding Alectra V2X Pilot, email V2X@alectrautilities.com