Drivers could use electric cars to power their homes with 'transformational' scheme that cuts costs
The new technology has been backed by the Government with almost £5million in funding
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Drivers around the UK could soon benefit from revolutionary charging plans that could see homes powered by their electric vehicles.
Chinese electric car manufacturing giant BYD is among brands that are testing two-way charging technology that would allow homeowners to draw power from vehicles in their driveway.
At times when electricity prices are high, drivers could use the car's battery to power their home. Alternatively, they can sell the power back to the grid.
Speaking previously, the National Grid suggested that using the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology could help reduce pressure on the grid if it was managed properly.
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It is hoped that drivers could save on their bills thanks to the technology
PABYD is reportedly testing the system at a "superhub" in Manchester which has been established by Kraken, the software division of Octopus Energy, with Ford and Tesla also taking part, according to The Telegraph.
Devrim Celal, chief executive of Kraken, said: "So when these [car] companies look at the energy system, they see an opportunity around consumer flexibility – that ability to choose when to charge the car and the value that creates.
"This is going to be quite a transformational technology once it’s in the market at scale."
Last March, Octopus Electric Vehicles arranged a deal with the Chinese brand to order 5,000 vehicles, with BYD becoming its official salary sacrifice partner.
The deal, which will take place over the next three years, will make it easier for drivers to switch to an electric vehicle through their workplace car tax schemes.
At the end of 2023, the Government announced that new funding would help motorists use their electric vehicle batteries to power their homes and save on their bills.
The Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology will work through bidirectional charging, which allows for electricity stored in a vehicle's battery to flow back into the grid, homes or workplaces.
Four projects received a share of £4.8million of Government funding to develop the technology and make it more accessible for drivers.
It is hoped that this technology will slash rates of fossil fuels being used when demand is at its highest, especially when demand is higher.
One company, Hangar19 Ltd in Chelmsford, will demonstrate a "3-socket bidirectional charger", allowing for a wider range of EVs available for bidirectional charging.
Another company, Electric Green Limited, will work with QEnergy to trial wireless V2X technology with a fleet of 20 delivery vehicles at Royal Mail in London.
Anthony Browne, who served as Transport Minister for Technology and Decarbonisation, said the technology had the ability to help millions of people around the UK.
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The technology can be used to sell power back to the grid during surges
PAThe former Conservative MP for South Cambridgeshire from 2019 until 2024 said: "We’re continuing to support drivers, and this innovative new development is the next step in levelling-up our charging technology, which will benefit many households across the country.
"This Government has already spent over £2billion in the transition to electric vehicles and our charging network is growing at pace, with 44 per cent more public chargepoints than this time last year, meaning drivers can charge more easily than before."