Volvo’s Upcoming BEV to Feature Bi-Directional Charging
Volvo is taking a leaf (pardon the pun) out of Nissan’s BEV playbook by telling us in its drip-drip launch of the EX90 that it will boast bi-directional charging in some markets.
To be officially unveiled next month, the SUV will feature hardware for unused energy to be recycled back to the electricity grid as Nissan BEVs have been using for some years now. The system has the potential to help owners make your energy use cheaper, more efficient and more sustainable. Indeed, with suitable energy provider companies, electricity can even be sold back by individuals and businesses to earn a little extra cash.
Paired with smart-charging capabilities coming to the Volvo smartphone app, the EX90 will allow an owner to charge the car when demand from the grid and prices are low, usually when more renewable sources are in the energy mix, and save that stored energy to be used later. Once available, bi-directional charging could also be used to power a home or other electric devices.
Where available, the entire charging process will be automatic and managed entirely by the smart charging functionality in the Volvo Cars app. The underlying algorithm also makes sure that it charges and discharges the battery in a limited way, reducing the risk of avoidable battery degradation.
Olivier Loedel, head of electrification ecosystem at Volvo, said: “With the Volvo EX90 you can power your life. You could use its battery in many ways, from topping up your electric bike when you’re out and about, to hooking up an outdoor cooking appliance for your weekend camping trip. It could even power your house during the expensive peak hours of the day.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
