Watt's new? Exploring the potential of bi-directional EV charging
Innovative bi-directional charging technology lets you do more than just fill up your vehicle's battery; it allows your electric vehicle to send energy back to the grid when it's needed most – and you can get paid for doing so!
Imagine using the energy from your car to power your home.
With our bi-directional charging technology, this isn’t just a dream, it’s becoming a reality. This innovative approach has the ability to turn an electric vehicle (EV) into a mobile energy storage unit – effectively a battery on wheels – allowing electricity to flow both ways, both feeding power into the vehicle's battery and also sending it back to the grid.
By using EVs as mobile energy storage units, we can smooth out those spikes in demand at peak times (we’ve all heard the stories about kettles being boiled during the ad breaks of our favourite soaps), store renewable energy when it’s more abundant, and optimise the entire energy system for efficiency and sustainability.
With the UK moving towards a net zero future, bi-directional charging is poised to play a key role in how we integrate green energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and enhance energy flexibility.
CO2 reduction of up to one tonne per year
Bi-directional charging isn’t just about powering your car; it can also power your home or even contribute to the broader energy grid. This is where vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) come into play. Imagine the power we can call on when millions of electric vehicles are connected to the grid – or powering home appliances – all around the country!
For households and businesses, V2H can significantly lower energy costs by using your EV’s stored power during peak times. And for those with renewable energy setups, like solar panels, it means you can store excess energy and use it when it’s needed most — making you less reliant on the grid.
Bi-directional charging will be a cornerstone technology for the energy transition and climate protection. Households equipped with a solar system can save up to one tonne of CO2 emissions per year compared to those without, even without traditional battery storage.
Grid operators benefit too. V2G offers new flexibility by enabling stored EV energy to balance the grid during peak periods. This contributes to a more stable energy supply and allows the integration of additional renewable energy – essential for achieving the UK’s climate goals.
Bringing it to life
In July 2024, we partnered with GridX to integrate bi-directional charging into the E.ON Home App — giving users more control over their energy. Through the app, you can set your preferred departure time, and the system will ensure your EV is charged and ready while optimising energy flows.
Our Bi-ClEVer project is leading the way in bi-directional charging, with a pilot testing setup that includes the home of one of our innovation squad leads. His home, equipped with solar panels, an EV charging station, and battery storage, is helping us to test how bi-directional charging performs in everyday scenarios.
This real-world approach gives us insights into how EVs, batteries, and solar energy can be harmonised to reduce energy costs and maximise efficiency — giving EV owners even more value from their investment.
Driving towards a greener future
We’re excited about the potential of bi-directional charging – from reducing energy costs to making our grids smarter and greener, this technology offers a glimpse into a future where innovation meets sustainability.
The future of energy is flexible, intelligent, and green — and we’re charging ahead to make it a reality.