Electric car on the grid: on-board battery serves as storage and power plant

Created: 11/29/2022, 4:30 p.m

By: Simon Mones

Bidirectional charging allows the electric car to both absorb and deliver electricity.

So far, however, only Japanese models have been able to do this.

Electromobility is always on the rise and with the ban on internal combustion engines in the EU from 2035 at the latest, its triumphal march seems unstoppable.

Especially since the Stromer are not only good for the environment, but can also reduce the electricity bill in some cases.

The keyword here is: bidirectional charging.

What initially sounds simple comes with a handful of cryptic designations such as V2H, V2G and V2L.

However, these are not just any formulas, but important abbreviations in connection with the bidirectional charging and discharging of the drive batteries of electric cars.

With the right wall box, the electric car becomes a power storage device.

© Martin Bäuml Fotodesign/Imago

Bidirectional charging: Electric cars serve as storage and power plants

For example, V2H stands for Vehicle-to-Home.

This means that the house is supplied with electricity stored in the electric car via the wall box if required.

This can be the case, for example, when electricity is particularly expensive at certain times of the day or the solar cells on the roof are not providing enough energy.

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Even in the event of a blackout, the Stromer can then step in as an emergency generator.

In this case, an electric car can supply electricity to a three-person household for at least three days, as reported by

.

V2H also has another advantage: together with a photovoltaic system and a stationary battery, self-produced energy can be stored in the car, which ensures lower electricity costs.

Bidirectional charging: electric cars become mobile power banks

A similar approach is being pursued with V2G (vehicle-to-grid).

In this case, the electric car is connected to the power grid and used as a decentralized power storage or buffer.

Energy that is produced in excess by photovoltaic systems or wind turbines can then be temporarily stored there and fed back in at night or when there is no wind.

Switched off wind turbines would then be a thing of the past.

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However, the electric car can also simply be used as a rolling power bank.

The whole thing is then called Vehicle-to-Load (V2L).

With the right adapter, for example, the e-bike can be charged in the car.

And the power supply of the caravan would also be secured.

Bidirectional charging: Ford relies on outdoor use

However, the selection of Stromers that support bidirectional charging is still very limited.

Vehicles from Japan in particular, such as the Nissan Leaf or the Mitusbishi i-MiEV, support the function, and the German solar car Sono Sion is also said to offer it.

The connection to the charging station is made with the CHAdeMO connector.

"The Japanese pushed it because the fear of earthquakes is widespread there and the car has to function as an emergency generator in an emergency," Eduard Castaneda told

.

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But the offer could grow in the future, as an initiative of car manufacturers, network operators and wall box providers is pushing for uniform standards.

Ford, for example, offers a practical solution: there is a bidirectional charging box for the F-150 Lightning electric pick-up for around 1,200 US dollars (approx. 1,145 euros).

This relies on AC power and is primarily for outdoor use.

and construction site use.

Bidirectional charging: More and more manufacturers are working on a function for electric cars

Hyundai Inoiq 5, Kia EV6, Honda-e and the MG Marvel R also support bidirectional charging, even via the CCS connector established in the EU.

However, there are hardly any suitable wall boxes on the market.

If desired, Hyundai also has an adapter that can be used to connect pedelecs or music systems to the electric car.

In November 2022, Honda became the first manufacturer in Europe to be certified as a grid stabilizer in a pilot project.

The Stromer from Volkswagen and its subsidiary brands will soon also support bidirectional charging.

But only if the large battery is installed and a corresponding update is installed.