Bidirectional charging enables EVs to power homes and grids

Bidirectional charging technology allows electric vehicle (EV) batteries to serve functions beyond transportation through two primary methods: Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).

V2H technology enables an EV to act as a home battery system. By utilizing rooftop solar energy during the day to charge the vehicle, homeowners can use the stored electricity to power their houses at night. V2G, conversely, allows the vehicle to send electricity back into the utility grid, potentially allowing owners to earn money from energy retailers during periods of high demand.

Both applications require bidirectional chargers, as standard chargers only facilitate one-way energy flow. Because EV batteries are significantly larger than typical residential battery systems—often providing six to twelve times more storage capacity—they represent a substantial, pre-existing resource for managing household and grid energy needs.