The electricity grid can withstand electric vehicles

From time to time, concerned customers or the media raise the issue of the impact of electric vehicles on the Finnish electricity grid. The concern most often concerns whether the Finnish electricity grid can withstand the increase in the number of electric cars and the resulting increase in consumption. In this blog post, we aim to respond to these concerns in a fact-based and as comprehensive a manner as possible.

The Finnish electricity grid is built to withstand extreme conditions. The capacity of the grid covers even the coldest winter days, and Finland has never experienced an actual grid failure. The grid failure that occurred in Texas, USA, and the resulting chaos in society are unlikely for us, as our access to electricity is ensured not only through our own stable electricity production but also through the international Nordpool electricity exchange.

Electric cars will of course increase electricity consumption, but by a very moderate and manageable amount. According to expert estimates, converting Finland's entire car fleet to electric at once would increase Finland's total consumption by a maximum of 10%. According to a study commissioned by Energiatalondu, the use of the 670,000 new electric cars predicted to be in Finnish traffic by 2030 would increase Finns' electricity consumption by slightly less than three percent.

Load management helps achieve a safe charging experience

If technology continues to develop at the current pace, the growing number of electric cars may even be beneficial to the electricity grid. Pilot projects are underway or about to be launched around the world, in which the battery capacity of electric cars is being utilized, for example, as demand response back to the electricity grid, so-called Vehicle To Grid (V2G) charging.

However, even a small increase in consumption, especially during peak hours, could cause problems in the electricity grid, if not at a regional level, then at least in the property's own network, when the consumption is dimensioned close to the maximum of the fuses. This is why it is very important that consumption and power peaks are monitored and managed. This problem is addressed, among other things, by eParking's load management system, which ensures that power limits are not exceeded. With the help of the intelligent load management service, all users receive equal treatment and a safe charging experience.

The biggest problem with the growth in the number of electric cars will probably be the home charging of cars, which almost all Finnish housing companies will have to consider. Electricity is probably sufficient at the national level, but is it enough in your home socket?

You can read more about the adequacy of electricity, for example, in an article in Moottori magazine .