Electric vehicles are just now entering the U.S. market, and consumers may be surprised to learn the ways they help reduce emissions beyond just eliminating tailpipe emissions.

Plug-in electric vehicles support clean energy generation because they can function as large-scale batteries that store intermittent wind and solar energy when they are charging. Since electricity can’t be stored, and because wind and solar energy is generated when the wind is blowing or sun is shining – not when consumer demand exists – renewable energy may often get “wasted” because generators can’t sell their product when it is available.

By plugging your electric vehicle into the grid overnight or mid-day, you’ll be creating demand when renewable energy is most available and helping keep clean energy generators in business. In addition, grid operators can tap into your electric vehicle’s stored capacity during periods of peak demand, thus returning low-carbon energy back to the grid instead of requiring additional power and emissions.