What is Bi-Directional Charging

Smart Charging What’s required? What’s V2G, V2H, V2L? V2X Is this the future?

Which Cars Have Bi-Directional Charging 2023?

Bi-Directional electric vehicle (EV) charging, also known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, refers to the ability of an electric vehicle to not only receive power from the grid but also send power back to it.

This two-way communication enables the EV to function as an energy storage device that can provide power to the grid or other devices during periods of high demand or when renewable energy sources such as wind or solar are not generating electricity. 

Don’t Confuse Bi-Directional and Smart Charging

Smart charging is any electric vehicle charging in which a smart device can control the charging time and rate rather than a manual switch. This is usually controlled by using an app on a smartphone to control how long your EV charges for and when.

Used in conjunction with Bi-directional charging, you can charge your EV at lower off-peak rates and then send the energy at the reduced price to your home devices or back into the grid.

What’s required for Bi-Directional Charging?

The bidirectional charging system requires a particular type of charger that can charge the vehicle’s battery and invert the DC power (Direct Current) from the battery to AC power (Alternating Current) that can be fed back into the grid. 

This technology could reduce the strain on the electric grid during peak demand hours, increase the use of renewable energy sources, and provide additional revenue streams for electric vehicle owners.

Representing the idea of BiDirectional decision-making.
Image 2022:Hyundai Manufacturing 

What’s V2G, V2H, V2L BiDirectional Charging 

V2G is known as a vehicle-to-grid and uses the EV to send power back to the grid. 

V2H is a vehicle to home, taking the EV’s energy directly to your home. 

Besides being a  backup during power outages, it can offer potential savings when utility rates are at their highest during peak demand.

V2L allows the vehicle to provide AC power to charge home appliances and portable electronic devices where no power is available. V2L does not require a dedicated bi-directional charger; instead, it uses an onboard inverter to send power to the device.

V2X Is this the future?

The current technology is available on a few cars; however, manufacturers are working to adopt A vehicle to everything (V2X), Which integrates all the current bidirectional charging types.

According to motoring experts, once bi-directional charging becomes mainstream; it will change how EV owners utilise the vehicles; they will become more integrated into everyday lives just as smartphones have become over the last 20 years.

Which Cars Have BiDirectional Charging 2023? 

Bi-directional - Illustrating the importance of BiDirectional
Image 2022 Kia Manufacturing