Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics and their project partners have demonstrated an 800-volt bidirectional off-board EV charger utilizing gallium nitride power electronics. The GaN-based module is designed to achieve higher efficiency and power density compared to conventional silicon-based systems. The development could help accelerate faster, more compact DC fast-charging and vehicle-to-grid hardware for high-voltage electric vehicles.
Ford is calling on utility companies to streamline integration and help lower the equipment costs associated with bidirectional EV charging. The automaker is preparing its next-generation electric pickups with built-in inverters, aiming to simplify vehicle-to-home backup power without forcing drivers into expensive proprietary home hardware setups.
The UK government is considering incentives to encourage carmakers to equip new electric vehicles with vehicle-to-grid capability. Discussed as part of an ongoing review of the nation's zero-emission vehicle mandate, the initiative aims to turn EVs into distributed energy assets that stabilize the electrical grid during peak demand. If approved, the policy could help lower household energy costs by enabling drivers to sell stored battery power back to utilities.
Clean energy consultancy Dunsky has launched a nationwide coalition alongside utilities, government agencies, and an automaker to advance vehicle-grid integration across Canada. The collaborative initiative aims to transform electric vehicles into flexible power resources capable of stabilizing and supporting the electricity grid. By coordinating policies and technical approaches, the alliance seeks to scale bidirectional charging and smart energy management from coast to coast.
A California school district is leveraging vehicle-to-grid technology to supply power to roughly 1,000 homes while generating revenue. Over the past two years, 74 electric school buses plugged into American-made bidirectional chargers have helped ease strain on the local electrical grid during peak demand hours. The project underscores the financial and operational benefits of using heavy-duty fleet batteries as distributed energy storage.
Australia is rolling out its largest commercial vehicle-to-grid pilot, deploying up to 130 government fleet EVs to evaluate bidirectional charging capabilities. The multimillion-dollar project will assess how parked electric vehicles can supply power during peak demand periods to support the grid. Researchers will also explore potential revenue streams generated by returning stored battery energy to the energy market.
Oregon's Pacific General Electric (PGE) is leveraging electric semi-trucks to provide crucial grid support, recognizing their potential as 'batteries on wheels.' This initiative highlights the environmental and health benefits of electrifying commercial fleets, while also showcasing a novel approach to enhancing grid resilience through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities.
California's home battery systems, predominantly Tesla Powerwalls managed by Sunrun, recently set a new record by dispatching 745 MW of electricity to the grid. Over 85,000 Powerwall owners contributed more than 600 MW, significantly surpassing previous benchmarks for energy delivered from residential batteries. This achievement highlights the growing role of distributed energy resources in stabilizing the state's power supply.
GM Energy has partnered with California's Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to introduce an incentive package encouraging new EV owners to participate in a managed charging program. This initiative, available at participating dealerships, bundles a GM Energy home charger with a cash incentive for customers who enroll in PG&E's Smart Charge program.
Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado has introduced six new electric school buses, equipped with advanced bidirectional charging capabilities. These vehicles will serve students while also having the potential to return energy to the grid, backed by significant funding from Xcel Energy's Electric School Bus program.
Germany is actively developing policies and infrastructure to enable electric vehicle owners to sell electricity stored in their car batteries back to the grid. This initiative aims to integrate EVs into the energy network, allowing parked vehicles to become active participants in power supply and potentially offering financial incentives to owners.
A new framework from Germany's energy regulator is set to unlock the potential of electric vehicle batteries for home energy supply and grid stability. This move paves the way for vehicles to become active participants in the energy market, fundamentally shifting how EVs are integrated into the power infrastructure.
General Motors and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) are partnering on a new initiative in California, offering incentives to EV owners to support grid stability. New GM EV buyers can receive a complimentary Level 2 charger and get paid to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours, helping manage electricity demand.
California is broadening its vehicle-to-grid (V2G) initiative, enabling a wider range of EV owners to earn money by supplying power back to the grid during peak demand. New models like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Kia EV9 are now eligible, marking a significant step towards integrating electric vehicles into the state's energy infrastructure and enhancing grid resilience.
California's electric vehicle fleet holds immense potential to bolster grid stability, with just a fraction of current EVs capable of returning significant power to the system. This massive virtual power plant, however, remains largely untapped due to complexities in utility integration and incentives for EV owners to participate in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programs.
As electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including onboard chargers and bidirectional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, moves into wider adoption, ensuring their safe interaction with the AC grid becomes paramount. This involves rigorous testing for 'anti-islanding' capabilities, which prevent chargers from continuing to energize the grid during a power outage, protecting utility workers and equipment. Understanding these testing protocols is crucial for manufacturers, utilities, and regulators to guarantee reliable and secure EV-grid integration.
UL Solutions has introduced a crucial new safety standard designed to facilitate the broader adoption of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. This development addresses current limitations where bidirectional charging is often tied to proprietary hardware and restricted to basic applications like vehicle-to-home (V2H) power. The new standard paves the way for seamless utility interconnection, which is essential for true V2G functionality, and will apply to future energy converters and inverters.
Austrian firm Easelink, developer of the automated Matrix Charging system for electric vehicles, has announced a collaboration with global automotive supplier SEG Automotive. This partnership aims to industrialize and widely adopt Easelink's conductive charging technology. The Matrix Charging system focuses on convenience, V2G integration, and supporting future autonomous EV applications.
In a new initiative, Eversource and National Grid are partnering with EnergyHub, Sunrun, and The Mobility House to test a residential vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program in Massachusetts. This pilot aims to allow EV drivers to earn incentives by using their electric vehicles to support grid reliability and energy affordability. The collaboration represents a significant step towards integrating EVs into the state's energy infrastructure through bidirectional charging technology.
A new pilot program in Massachusetts will allow electric vehicle owners to participate in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) energy sales. This initiative empowers EV drivers to contribute to grid stability and earn revenue by discharging their vehicle's battery during peak demand, specifically addressing the strain caused by growing energy consumption from sources like AI data centers.
Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is consolidating its various vehicle-to-everything (V2X) offerings under a new global brand, "AllDayEnergy." This initiative will integrate smart charging (V1G), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and vehicle-to-home (V2H) services, streamlining HMG's bidirectional energy solutions. The rollout is scheduled to begin in the UK in the latter half of 2026, starting with V1G smart charging via the Kia App.
Massachusetts is set to introduce a new initiative that will compensate electric vehicle owners who allow their car batteries to feed power back into the grid during peak demand. This vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program aims to bolster grid stability and offer financial incentives to EV drivers participating in the state's energy ecosystem.
Porterville Unified School District in California is integrating a comprehensive electric vehicle charging system for its school bus fleet, featuring smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. This project, in partnership with The Mobility House and ForeFront Power, will also include solar power and battery energy storage to create a microgrid solution. The initiative aims to optimize energy use and grid interaction for their zero-emission transportation infrastructure.
Nissan and Austrian charging tech firm Easelink are partnering on a new research project in the United Kingdom to develop and test an automated conductive EV charging system. This innovative system aims to enhance the usability and efficiency of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology by integrating bidirectional AC charging with hands-free pad-based charging.
Electric school buses are emerging as key players in strengthening energy grids. Their large batteries, often idle during off-peak hours, can feed power back into the grid, providing crucial stability and energy management services.
As extreme weather events like hurricanes and heat waves intensify, home battery systems are proving to be crucial for maintaining grid stability. Utilities are increasingly investing in distributed batteries and virtual power plants (VPPs) to manage energy demands and prevent outages.
Amidst last week's intense heatwave, which strained power grids to their limits, electric vehicles unexpectedly played a crucial role in maintaining stability. Rather than exacerbating the load, EVs with bidirectional charging capabilities fed stored energy back into the grid, helping utilities meet demand and prevent blackouts.
The Volkswagen Group's energy subsidiary, Elli, has launched its pioneering vehicle-to-grid (V2G) service in Germany. This bidirectional charging technology allows compatible electric vehicles to not only draw power from the grid but also feed electricity back into it, stabilizing the energy supply during peak demand or surplus generation.
Rivian has announced its participation in ChargeScape, a leading platform dedicated to vehicle-grid integration. This collaboration will allow Rivian EV owners to seamlessly connect with utility demand response programs, optimizing charging schedules and potentially earning incentives.
Major automakers like Volkswagen, BMW, and BYD are investing in bidirectional charging technology, which allows electric vehicles to not only draw power from the grid but also feed electricity back into homes or the grid. This capability could transform EVs into mobile power sources, offering new benefits for energy management and utility resilience.
The Volkswagen Group plans to equip its dealerships across Sweden with bidirectional charging capabilities, transitioning this advanced technology from pilot programs to commercial deployment. This initiative will enable compatible VW electric vehicles to not only draw power but also supply electricity back to homes and the grid, showcasing the practical application of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
A new collaboration between Sunrun, Renew Home, and Tesla aims to leverage aggregated home energy resources, including battery storage and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, to address the escalating power demands of data centers and AI. This initiative seeks to provide flexible, fast-acting grid support while simultaneously offering economic benefits to participating households. The partnership targets a massive 16 gigawatts of dispatchable power, highlighting the growing role of residential distributed energy resources in stabilizing the grid.
Pacific Power Source has significantly upgraded its AGX, RGS, and RLS regenerative AC/DC test platforms, now offering increased power density and scalability. These enhancements are crucial for thoroughly evaluating high-power electrification hardware, including advanced EV chargers and vehicle-to-grid systems.
GM Energy is enhancing its offerings with new vehicle-to-grid (V2G) support, allowing compatible GM EVs to send power back to the home or grid. Alongside this, the company announced advancements in energy storage battery chemistry, aiming for more efficient and sustainable power solutions.
