Skip advert
Advertisement

Gov cash for Vehicle-to-grid EV tech could save families £100s on electricity bills

The government is pumping £4.8m into ‘Vehicle-to-Everything tech’, allowing EV owners to use stored battery energy most efficiently

Tesla Model S charging

The government is backing four schemes focusing on developments in bi-directional charging tech that could one day see EV owners selling energy stored in their car batteries back to power companies at times of peak demand.

New charger technologies will theoretically also allow EV owners to charge their cars off-peak, and use the energy stored in their car batteries to run domestic appliances such as fridges and washing machines at more expensive peak rate times. This is the vision as the government announces a £4.8 million investment in four separate projects to develop and implement so-called ‘Vehicle-to-Everything’ or ‘V2X’ tech.

“The prospect of families being able to store energy on their doorstep in electric vehicles and use it to power their homes is incredibly exciting,” said Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway. “This is exactly the sort of ingenuity and creativity that makes the UK one of the world’s most innovative nations. By backing this technology, we could save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also supporting jobs, investment and growth.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

The four V2X projects that have been awarded cash include two companies making or trialling bi-directional chargers, another creating bi-directional charging hubs featuring solar panels and batteries housed in repurposed shipping containers, and one working with Royal Mail on trialling a fleet of 20 V2X delivery vans in London. The focus is on commercial applications first, but the technology is likely to make its way into consumer applications in due course.

According to the government, the 2-way charging tech builds on existing smart charging technologies which already allow vehicles to be charged overnight when electricity prices are lowest. 

“Households could power their home appliances as a result of the development of bidirectional charging, which enables electricity stored in a vehicle’s battery to flow back into the grid or back into the home and workplaces, which can then be used to power other devices,” it says, pointing out that domestic users could use V2X tech to sell electricity back to the grid when prices are higher, while businesses could benefit by storing electricity in their EV fleets and using it to power other operations or activities.

Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BYD Atto 3 review
BYD Atto 3 - front tracking

BYD Atto 3 review

New kid on the block BYD has hit the ground running with its all-electric family SUV, combining quirky design with a comfortable ride in the Atto 3
In-depth reviews
23 Jan 2025
Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives
Kia's UK boss, Paul Philpott standing next to a Kia EV6

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives

Brand CEO says ZEV mandate is a threat, asking for clarity from the Labour government
News
6 Jan 2025
What is MaaS? Mobility as a Service and the future of car use
Mobilize Duo - front static

What is MaaS? Mobility as a Service and the future of car use

We look at the pros and cons of Mobility as a Service, and the vehicles set to help change the face of car ownership
Features
29 Dec 2024
Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants
Finance contract, car key and calculator on desk

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants

Scandal involving car finance commission could see motorists entitled to billions of pounds in payouts
News
19 Dec 2024

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it

The reborn Renault 5 is one of the most feverishly anticipated cars in a long time, and at such a low price, our Deal of the Day for 8 February is a p…
News
8 Feb 2025
Should you buy a Chinese electric car? Prices, quality, reliability and ethics explored
BYD Seal - front cornering

Should you buy a Chinese electric car? Prices, quality, reliability and ethics explored

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about Chinese electric cars. We’re here to separate the fact from the fiction
Features
7 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts