Vehicle to Home Bidirectional Charging Compatible Cars 2025

November 25, 2024

Electric cars are changing everything. Some new models can power your home during blackouts or save you on your electricity bill. This clever feature is called vehicle to home (V2H) bidirectional charging.

The UK is leading the way on this tech. Several car makers now offer V2H compatible models in the UK, which require a bidirectional charger to enable the two-way power flow. This means you can use your car as a mobile power bank for your home, storing cheap off-peak electricity in your car’s battery and using it to power your house when prices are high.

V2H isn’t just about saving money. It can also increase the use of renewable energy. You can charge your car with solar power during the day and use that clean energy to power your home at night.

What is Vehicle to Home (V2H)

V2H 101

V2H allows you to use your car’s battery to power your home through its bidirectional charging capabilities. You plug your car into a special charger at home. This charger can send power both ways – to the car and from the car to your house.

V2H is useful for many things. You can save on your energy bill. You can charge your car when electricity is cheap and use that power at home when prices are high. It’s also good for backup power during outages.

V2H helps the grid too. When lots of people use V2H it takes the pressure off the grid during peak times. It makes the whole energy system more stable and efficient.

V2H, V2G, V2L

V2H, V2G, V2L are related but different:

V2H (Vehicle to Home): Powers your house from your car’s battery
V2G (Vehicle to Grid): Sends power from your car to the main grid
V2L (Vehicle to Load): Powers smaller devices directly from your car

V2H is at home only. V2G is connected to the wider grid. V2L is for on-the-go, like camping or worksites.

V2G requires more complex systems than V2H. It has to work with the power companies and follow strict rules. V2L is the simplest, often just needs a special plug on the car.

Each has its uses. V2H is for home energy management. V2G is for the whole power system. V2L is portable power anywhere.

Bidirectional Charging Benefits

Bidirectional charging has many benefits for UK electric vehicle owners. This can save you money, reduce your carbon footprint and give you backup power when you need it.

Save on Energy Bills and Carbon

Bidirectional charging lets you use your electric car as a battery for your home. This means you can charge your car when prices are low and use that stored power at home when prices are high. You can save big on your energy bills.

You can also reduce your carbon footprint by using more renewable energy. When there’s excess solar or wind power available you can store it in your car’s battery for later use. This means you use less fossil fuels and more clean energy.

Some say bidirectional charging can save you up to £300 per year on your energy bills. It’s a win win!

Grid Stability and Energy Efficiency

Your electric car can help stabilize the grid and manage energy demand when you use bidirectional charging. When demand is high, you can feed electricity back into the power grid from your car’s battery. This prevents blackouts and reduces the need for expensive power plants that only run during peak times.

By being part of this system, you’re making the grid more efficient. It’s like having a mini power station in your driveway. You might even get paid for the electricity you send back to the grid.

This technology also allows the grid to use more renewable energy. Wind and solar can store excess energy in car batteries when they’re generating more than the grid needs.

Backup Power During Outages

Bidirectional charging turns your electric car into a backup power source for your home during power outages. If there’s a power cut you can use your car’s battery to keep your lights on and your fridge running.

This is especially useful during severe weather events or emergencies. You won’t have to worry about food going off or being left in the dark. Depending on your car’s battery size and how much power you use you could keep your home running for days.

Some electric cars can power a typical UK home for up to 10 days. That’s a lot of peace of mind.

Vehicles with V2H in the UK

Several electric cars in the UK now offer vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging. This lets you power your home using your car’s battery. Let’s take a look.

Nissan Leaf and V2H

The Nissan Leaf was the first car to offer V2H in the UK. You can use it to power your home during outages or high energy prices using the EV’s battery. The Leaf’s battery can supply 2-3 days of power to an average UK home.

To use V2H with your Leaf you’ll need a bi-directional charger. These cost £4,000-£6,000. Once installed you can set up your Leaf to automatically power your home when needed.

The Leaf’s V2H system is quite flexible. You can choose how much battery power to use for your home. This means you can save some charge for driving if needed.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Advanced V2H

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are newer cars with V2H. They have more power output than the Leaf. You can use them to run larger appliances or even power tools.

Both cars have an 800-volt system. This means faster charging and more efficient V2H. You can power your home for up to a week with these cars depending on your energy use.

The Ioniq 5 and EV6 also have vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality. This lets you plug devices directly into the car. Handy for camping or outdoor events.

New Entrants: BYD Atto 3, MG ZS EV and others

More car makers are adding V2H to their UK models. The BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV are two examples. These cars are still testing their V2H systems in the UK.

The Atto 3 uses BYD’s Blade battery tech. This could mean longer V2H use times. The MG ZS EV will be one of the cheapest V2H cars in the UK.

Other brands like Volkswagen and Ford are also working on V2H for their electric cars. As the tech develops you’ll see more options in the coming years.

V2H Technical Details

V2H systems involve complex technology that enables power flow between electric vehicles and homes. These systems require special chargers, standardised connectors and careful management of EV batteries.

EV Chargers and Charging Points

V2H chargers are more complex than standard EV chargers as they manage the energy supply between your car and home. They have bi-directional inverters that convert DC power from the car’s battery to AC power for your home. They also have safety features to prevent power surges and grid synchronisation.

Most V2H chargers are wall mounted units installed in garages or driveways. They usually have power outputs from 7kW to 22kW. Some models have touchscreens for easy control and monitoring of energy flow.

To use V2H you’ll need a smart meter and additional wiring to connect the charger to your home’s electrical panel. This allows you to power your home during outages or sell excess energy back to the grid.

CHADEMO and CCS

Two standards support V2H technology: CHAdeMO and CCS (Combined Charging System).

CHAdeMO was the first to offer bi-directional charging. It’s used by Japanese car makers like Nissan and Mitsubishi. CHAdeMO connectors have a round shape with multiple pins.

CCS is newer and more popular in Europe and North America. It combines AC and DC charging in one port. CCS connectors have a rectangular shape with additional pins below for DC charging.

Both standards offer rapid DC charging and V2H functionality. But they’re not compatible with each other. Your car’s charging port will determine which standard you can use.

Battery Life and Wear

V2H systems can affect your EV’s battery life but modern battery management systems help to minimise the wear. When you use your car to power your home it adds extra charge and discharge cycles.

Lithium-ion batteries in EVs last 8-10 years or 100,000-150,000 miles. V2H use will slightly reduce this but the impact is usually minimal with proper management.

To protect your battery V2H systems usually limit discharge to 20-30% of total capacity. They also avoid frequent deep discharges which can be more damaging to battery health.

Some car makers offer special warranties for V2H compatible cars to cover battery degradation. Check your car’s warranty terms before you start using V2H regularly.

V2H and Renewable Energy

Vehicle-to-home (V2H) works well with renewable energy. This combo allows you to use clean power and store extra energy for later.

Solar and V2H

Solar and V2H are a great team. Your solar panels can charge your electric car during the day. When the sun goes down V2H lets you use that stored energy to power your home.

This will save you money on your energy bills. You can also reduce your carbon footprint. On cloudy days or at night you can still use grid power if needed.

Some V2H systems can even decide when to charge or discharge your car battery. They look at solar output and home energy use to make smart decisions.

V2H as part of Energy Storage Systems

V2H fits into home energy storage systems. Your car’s battery is like a big power bank for your home.

You can store extra solar energy in your car during the day. At night use that power instead of buying from the grid. This will use more of your own clean energy.

V2H also helps balance the grid. You can sell energy back to the grid when demand is high. This earns you money and supports the wider energy network.

Some energy companies offer special rates for V2H users. These deals will make your system even more cost effective.

Economic and Regulatory

V2H affects energy prices and consumption patterns. UK regulations are changing to support this new way of managing home power.

V2H and Energy Prices and Consumption

V2H will save you money on your energy bills. By using your car’s battery to power your home during peak hours you’ll reduce your grid consumption when electricity is most expensive. This change in consumption patterns will lead to lower overall energy prices.

V2H trials in the UK have shown great results. Some participants saw their energy bills drop by up to 30%. Your car will be a backup power source during outages adding value to your car.

But there are costs to consider. You’ll need to install special equipment at home. The initial setup will be expensive but prices will come down as the technology becomes more mainstream.

The V2H Regulatory Landscape

The UK government is working on the rules for V2H. Current regulations are still behind the technology. Ofgem the energy regulator is looking into how to integrate V2H into the existing energy market.

There are standards being developed for V2H systems. These will ensure your home and car are safe when using the technology. The government is also looking at tax incentives to promote V2H adoption.

Planning permission rules are being changed to allow V2H equipment to be installed at home without needing lengthy approvals.

Smart Charging and Energy Management

Smart charging and energy management systems get the most out of your electric vehicle’s battery. These technologies optimise charging times and costs and balance grid demand.

Kaluza and Intelligent Energy Systems

Kaluza is a UK based intelligent energy systems company. Their platform connects your EV to the grid, so you can smart charge. You can charge when electricity is cheapest and greenest.

Kaluza’s system learns your driving habits and energy needs and creates a customised charging plan. This ensures your car is ready when you need it and minimises costs.

The system also balances the grid. It can pause or slow charging during peak demand. This reduces the strain on the network and supports renewable energy.

Smart Charging and its Benefits

Smart charging will save you money by charging when electricity is cheapest. This is usually at night when demand is low.

It also protects the grid. It can spread charging across off-peak hours to prevent overloads and reduce the need for costly grid upgrades.

Smart charging supports renewable energy. It can charge more when green energy is available. This might be on sunny or windy days when solar and wind power is high.

For you it means a full car every morning. Lower bills and a smaller carbon footprint. And you’re helping to create a more stable and sustainable energy system.

Consumer Insights and Market Trends

UK car buyers are increasingly interested in electric vehicles (EVs) with V2H. This is the technology that allows EVs to power your home and interact with the grid.

EV Adoption and V2H Compatibility

More UK EV owners are choosing vehicles with vehicle-to-home (V2H) features. You can now find several models that offer this two way charging. These cars will allow you to use your EV’s battery to power your home during outages or high energy prices.

Models with V2H:

Nissan Leaf
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Hyundai Ioniq 5

V2H is for eco-conscious consumers and those who want to save on energy bills. It’s also for those who want backup power for their home.

V2X: The Future of Bidirectional Charging

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) is the next step in two way charging. It builds on V2H by allowing EVs to interact with the wider grid and other devices.

V2X innovations:

Smart charging that responds to grid demand
EV chargers that can power outdoor equipment
Mobile apps to control your car’s energy flow

These are making EVs more useful and valuable to owners. You’ll see more V2X features in future EVs as the technology develops.

Infrastructure and Future

The UK EV landscape is changing fast, new infrastructure and car models are enabling vehicle-to-home (V2H) to go mainstream. Charging technology and grid integration is making two way charging more accessible to UK drivers.

UK EV Infrastructure Evolution

EV charging points are appearing across the UK fast. You’ll find them in car parks, motorway services and even on residential streets. The government aims to have 300,000 public chargers by 2030. This will support the growing number of EVs on UK roads.

Smart charging is becoming more prevalent. It balances demand and protects the network from overload. You can now find chargers that talk to the grid and adjust charging speeds based on overall energy usage.

Some areas are trialing street lamps that are also EV chargers. This use of existing infrastructure could make charging more convenient for those without off street parking.

New V2H Compatible Models: Polestar, Cadillac Lyriq and others

New car models are joining the V2H compatible list. The Polestar 2 now offers two way charging in some markets. You can use it to power your home during outages or sell energy back to the grid.

The Cadillac Lyriq is coming to the UK soon with V2H. This luxury EV will turn your car into a mobile power bank for your home.

Others will follow. You’ll see more V2H ready models in showrooms each year. These cars will help you control your home’s energy usage and potentially save you money.

As V2H develops you’ll find it easier to plug your EV into your home’s power system. This will change how you think about energy and storage.