General Motors and OnStar will launch a pilot program with regional utility companies. This will link Chevrolet Volts to a “smart grid.” This grid will monitor and manage battery charging. One goal of this program is to reduce charging costs to customers.

GM said hundreds of utility employees with Volts, will participate in the program. The automaker wants to see “how intelligent energy management can maximize EV charging efficiency and minimize the electric bill for EV drivers.” OnStar developed software that can help a utility company monitor and manage electricity used to charge the Volt’s battery pack when plugged into the grid.

GM said this data “will give the utility deep insight into where and when EVs are charged and demand response, which allows the utility to reduce peak demand by shifting EV charging to non-peak hours.”

Source: InsideLine

Chevrolet OnStar not only can track your destination or help when you’ve had an accident. Apparently, law enforcement officials can access your OnStar unit to cut control of a vehicle. As this video shows, cars can be “remotely disabled” in the same way they unlock a door off-site. Big Brother much? We can see how this helps stop a car chase ASAP – but how will it stop a vehicle from slamming into the side of a building? I bet the owner of that white truck was pissed off. Great narration by To Catch a Predator’s Chris Hansen on this news clip.