The companies said Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show that this is the beginning of a smart system that will help utilities and customers manage energy costs and use.
The system would start with the all-electric Ford Focus compact car that goes on sale in late 2011. The system would allow utilities to vary electric rates based on the time of day. A computer would determine the best time to recharge the car at the lowest cost.
Charging an electric car can double the energy used at a home, and utilities worry about the increased burden on their power generators.
