World-first bi-directional EV chargers almost here
Jet Charge to deliver V2G charging capability, allowing owners to turn their EV into a home batteryJet Charge to deliver V2G charging capability, allowing owners to turn their EV into a home battery
Australia is about to receive its first batch of bi-directional DC electric vehicle chargers, enabling EV owners to finally capitalise on the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) functionality steadily being integrated into modern vehicles.
According to a report by the ABC, Melbourne-based charging solutions provider Jet Charge will take delivery of the first batch of Wallbox Quasars this month, with a second batch expected in April.
Described by Jet Charge as “the world’s first bi-directional DC charger”, the Wallbox Quasar is said to cost around $10,000 for the average consumer and gives EV owners the potential to at least partially power their home or business using their vehicle’s battery.
For reference, that’s less than the cost of a standard Tesla Powerwall 2 home battery system and it provides access to a far bigger battery in which to store excess energy.
The caveat, however, is that the majority of this first batch of chargers will reportedly go to major projects like the ongoing V2G and V2H trials being undertaken by several key bodies including the University of Queensland and ACT government fleet.
For those who many not be sure about the difference between V2G, V2H and the more common V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) function present on some EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), it relates to the different things your EV can help power.
V2L is the most basic and, as with the new Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6, allows EV batteries to operate individual 240-volt electrical appliances like power tools and whitegoods, such as when camping.
Slotting in the middle is V2H, which allows an EV to power a home or business – as with the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pick-up, which Ford says can power an average home for three days but isn’t available in Australia.
V2G functionality is when an EV either draws from or restores power to the electrical grid, potentially helping to stabilise it.
At this stage only a handful of vehicles with V2G compatibility are available in Australia without voiding their warranty, including the Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Currently 500 Tesla vehicles are taking part in the University of Queensland’s global V2G trial, but those models aren’t officially listed here as being compatible… yet.
While only a small amount of V2G and V2H-compatible vehicles are currently being offered here, the functionality is expected to be standard on all EVs by 2025.
According to Jet Charge CEO Tim Washington, the cost of bi-directional chargers should more than halve over the coming years as the technology becomes more widespread.
“I have no doubt the market for residential batteries is going to decline quite heavily as they're replaced by cars,” he told the ABC.
“Why do you need a residential battery when you have three times the storage sitting in a vehicle that you've already purchased?”
Related: Global EV vehicle-to-grid trial launches in Oz
Related: What does it cost to recharge an EV?
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