The trend of bidirectional charging piles for new energy vehicles

With this technology, vehicle owners can not only adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, but also enjoy additional benefits. Through bi-directional charging, electric vehicles can generate income by selling electricity back to the grid, in addition to other exciting benefits.

Let's first understand the terminology of new energy: V2G, V2L, V2H/B, V2V.

V2G (Vehicle to Grid) refers to the interaction between electric vehicles and the power grid, allowing the vehicle to absorb electricity when the grid load is low and release electricity when the grid load is high, earning price differences. If V2G is fully implemented, every electric vehicle can be seen as a small charging station. When the grid load is low, simply plug in the charging gun and it can automatically store energy. When the grid load is high, the stored energy in the vehicle's battery can be released into the grid.

V2L (Vehicle to Load) involves using the electricity from an electric vehicle's battery to power other loads, such as lights, fans, or even outdoor barbecues. This technology allows electric vehicles to serve as a mobile power source.

V2H/B (Vehicle to Home/Buildings) involves the interaction between electric vehicles and residential or commercial buildings. In case of a power outage, the vehicle can serve as an emergency power source for important appliances.

V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) refers to a technology that allows one electric vehicle to charge another using a charging gun. This technology includes both DC and AC vehicle-to-vehicle charging methods. AC V2V charging relies on the onboard charger of the vehicle, making its power output relatively limited. DC V2V charging, on the other hand, uses high-power charging and has potential for commercial applications, especially in extended-range electric vehicles where the generator serves as a source of power during charging.

A common question is: what's the difference between bi-directional charging and smart charging?

Smart charging refers to any type of electric vehicle charging (either one-way or two-way), where the charging time and rate are controlled by "smart" devices instead of manual switches. This is achieved through data connection between the electric vehicle and charger. Consider smart charging applications, which allow you to use your smartphone to control the charging time of your electric vehicle. Through smart charging, the vehicle can be plugged in without constantly having to monitor it. Instead, individual vehicle owners or energy companies can determine when charging is most effective based on demand and cost considerations, depending on the country and energy provider. This sometimes provides economic benefits to customers. For example, many energy companies may offer discounted nighttime charging rates. This also helps avoid most electric vehicle owners charging at the same time, which could overburden the energy supply network.

Finally, what are the benefits of bi-directional charging?

There are three benefits of bi-directional charging:

1、Earning income by selling electricity back to the grid (V2G). Any electricity collected and stored in an electric vehicle's battery can be sold to the power grid. In countries like Spain where energy prices vary throughout the day or in countries like the UK where energy providers offer discounted off-peak charging rates, this provides electric vehicle owners with opportunities for cheaper charging during off-peak hours and selling electricity back to the grid during peak hours. Preliminary studies on the potential income from V2G suggest that it could generate an annual income of around 400 euros for electric vehicle owners. On average, electric vehicle owners could earn approximately 3700 euros from V2G over the lifetime of their vehicle. If you participate in frequency regulation markets, you can even earn more. For example, a leading V2G pilot project called Nuuve Corporation is currently testing 30 electric vehicles in Denmark for frequency regulation markets. It is estimated that these vehicle owners could earn up to 9000 euros over the lifetime of their vehicles.

2、Saving money. Owning an electric vehicle is already cheaper than owning a fossil fuel-powered vehicle. A Canadian scholar named Ingrid Malmgren estimates that using a bi-directional charger instead of a one-way charger could save approximately 5000 euros in total costs over the lifetime of the vehicle. If you live in a country where energy costs vary throughout the day, you could save even more. For example, in Spain, you can charge your vehicle at night when electricity demand is lower and electricity costs are significantly cheaper during the day. By using the stored electricity during the day to power your household appliances, you can significantly reduce your electricity bill over time.

3、Becoming Energy Self-Sufficient: Combining your own renewable energy source with a bi-directional electric vehicle charger can provide you with the opportunity to become energy self-sufficient. Imagine this: if you have solar panels installed on your roof that power your home during the day, the excess energy generated can be stored in your electric vehicle for use at night or the next day, either at home or while driving.

Some countries are introducing plans and incentives to help individuals achieve this goal. For example, the UK's Demand Side Response (DSR) program provides homeowners with smart meters and empowers them to generate electricity through on-site renewable energy sources such as wind and solar photovoltaics and feed excess energy back into the grid. With such plans and other electric vehicle and charging incentives throughout Europe, your household could soon become its own small power station!

Well, now if you want to own a bi-directional charging device, take a look at V2L charging gun from AG.

TYPE2 Vehicle to Load (V2L) - AG Electrical Technology Co., Ltd (ag-elec.com)