“We are actively shaping the transition to cleaner energy through our range of products and services focused on electric vehicles. Our newly introduced bidirectional charging feature is customized to meet the demands of our customers, not only allowing them to save on energy costs but also enabling them to make a significant contribution to sustainable energy usage,” stated Imelda Labbé, Volkswagen’s Board Member for Sales, Marketing, and After Sales.
Bidirectional charging is set to revolutionize electric vehicles into mobile energy storage units in the future
Vehicles equipped with the 77 kWh battery (net) will have the capability to utilize bidirectional charging to store excess electricity at home. Existing vehicles can also access this feature once they have been updated with the ID. Software 3.5. The vehicle’s high storage capacity enables homeowners to tap into solar energy on overcast days or during the night when solar panels are not producing power. This empowers customers to decide when to rely on the grid or use the electricity stored within their vehicle.
Smart charging for grid stability
By optimizing electricity tariffs and utilizing advanced algorithms, electric vehicles can be charged when renewable energy sources are abundant. For instance, wind turbines can continue generating power even when there is low demand for electricity. Excess power stored in electric vehicles can be transferred back to the home grid (vehicle-to-home) and eventually help stabilize the overall electricity grid.
The residents of the Stenberg housing estate in Hudiksvall, Sweden, are already reaping the benefits of this innovative technology
The historic farm, serving as the foundation for the new community, has stood for over 350 years. Entrepreneur Klas Boman aims to future-proof and make the houses sustainable for another 350 years by implementing renovations. Boman emphasized, “Stenberg is an exceptional project, focusing on energy and environmental sustainability. Every decision made during the project considers these aspects, including the integration of electric vehicles as energy storage solutions. Volkswagen’s involvement in the project since April 2021 has paved the way for a groundbreaking shift in the energy sector.”