US grid operator asks Californians not to charge EVs at certain times

The CAISO, the grid operator in the US state of California, has asked residents of that state not to charge electric cars and other electronics between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. That would be necessary to relieve the power grid.

The request is part of the CAISO’s Flex Alert, which is in effect due to the heat wave in the area. The CAISO says that the request is necessary because the yield of solar energy between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. is less than earlier in the day, while the persistent heat means that electricity is in high demand. In addition, many people return from work between those times, which means that they start using electricity at home.

Charging electric cars at other times is one of the requests made by the CAISO in order to keep the high demand on the power grid within limits. Californians are also being asked to cool their homes earlier, reducing the need for air conditioning during those times. The heat wave in the western United States will last at least the whole weekend.