Electric vehicles are symbols of independence, offering freedom from directly emitting greenhouse gases and fluctuating fossil fuel prices, and to plug-in virtually anywhere. But the reliance on the grid for “fuel” requires a strong incentive for EVs to be connected devices. Electric vehicles will be among the most connected vehicles available, receiving information about where to charge, and when they plug-in, exchanging information with the grid so that they can be charged in an optimal fashion.

The number of vehicles that plug into the grid will be relatively small during the next few years and will not require building additional power plants. But their potential impact in drawing power from residential neighborhoods at peak times will necessitate establishing communications with the grid. With smart grid equipment in place, EVs will provide information about how much energy they’ll need, and the grid can automatically determine when and at what rates the vehicles will be charged.

EVs and charging equipment will both have communications with grid equipment, but the pathway and role each type of equipment plays has not been determined. Residential charging equipment could communicate over existing communications, such as the local wireless or broadband connection, relying on commercial cellular networks, or by plugging into a smart meter where available.

Commercial EV charging equipment will often be part of a network (examples include technology from Coulomb Technologies and Better Place) that may include wireless or broadband technology, and a cellular connection is also likely to be involved as part of the communications link.

For EVs themselves, “cellular is the only practical option,” for communications according to Ignacio Contreras, who works in Corporate New Business Development at communications equipment maker Qualcomm. Vehicle mobility requires being able to connect anywhere, and cellular networks are the most reliable and ubiquitous.

“Connectivity will be a requirement for mass market adoption of electric vehicles,” says Contreras. The upcoming Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt will both include cellular connections in the vehicle, and Contreras believes most EVs will feature embedded cellular as either an option or standard feature.

The cost of the vehicle-grid connection will be built into the vehicle price or in some instances or be part of a subscription service, such as GM’s OnStar. Other companies may take a different approach by leveraging connectivity provided by the EV owner’s mobile phone.

EVs could directly communicate with the grid equipment over cellular networks to ensure that charging goes smoothly. Contreras will discuss the potential of cellular networks for EV and charging infrastructure integration with the Smart Grid during a panel discussion of vehicle to grid communications at the Plug-In 2010 conference, which begins on July 26 in San Jose.

Contreras says EVs are at the intersection of two of the most interesting areas for M2M communications — smart grid and automotive. Qualcomm, which has been studying the EV opportunity for about two years, will demonstrate how cellular networks enable the EV ecosystem in a booth located at the conference exhibit.