This study is led by Prof. Xiqun (Michael) Chen of Zhejiang University and Prof. Ziyou Gao of Beijing Jiaotong University. While the rapid growth in EVs is vital for decarbonization, the authors highlight a critical problem: uncoordinated mass charging during peak hours severely strains electrical grids, often increasing reliance on fossil-fuel "peaker" plants and hindering stability.

To solve this, the team developed the 5S framework, a multi-level strategy to coordinate power and transportation systems. The framework begins at the individual level with Smart Charging. This involves using mobile apps and dynamic pricing incentives to encourage drivers to shift their charging to off-peak hours or to specific locations, such as workplaces with available renewable energy. At the regional level, the paper calls for Synergistic Infrastructure, transforming charging stations into "energy hubs" equipped with their own solar panels and battery storage. Case studies have shown this approach can significantly reduce emissions and grid congestion.

The strategy culminates at the trans-regional level with a Storable Grid, where Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology is applied on a massive scale. In this system, hundreds or thousands of EVs are aggregated by a cloud platform to act as a giant, distributed battery. This fleet can absorb excess power when renewables are abundant and feed it back to the grid during shortages or outages, a process that requires advanced AI.

The researchers identify a sophisticated cloud aggregation system as the digital backbone required to unite these three levels. The system's complexity would scale with its scope, from simple informational apps for individuals to massive data centers needed for national-level energy market participation. The authors note that the future development of autonomous vehicles and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication will be a key enabler, allowing vehicles to autonomously communicate their energy needs and respond to the grid.

The possibility of large-scale, trans-regional V2G coordination is not currently realized, as most efforts are limited to small-scale pilot projects. The authors acknowledge that significant hurdles remain, including high infrastructure upgrade costs, a lack of standardization for batteries and charging ports, the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks, and major cybersecurity concerns. However, the 5S framework lays the foundation for future efforts to overcome these barriers, creating a scalable plan to achieve a stable and sustainable energy future.
DOI: 10.1007/s42524-025-5054-6