A new project trialling vehicle-to-grid workplace charging using AC rather than DC technology is now underway to assess if it can provide a commercially viable way for fleet owners, businesses and EV drivers to save money.
The V2VNY trial – led by Hangar 19, in partnership with CrowdCharge and DriveElectric – also aims to find out if the technology can reduce the load on the UK’s electricity grid at peak times.
Businesses taking part have been provided with a free V2G EV charger which they can keep after the end of the project.
They also run at least two EVs on their fleets – cars from Genesis, Hyundai, Kia and MG that are compatible with AC V2X technology.
Bidirectional charging can be used to send energy in a vehicle’s battery to the grid, to buildings, or to other vehicles, and to trade energy.
The project will look at how this battery capacity can be used to improve how, where, and when energy is used, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and saving energy costs.
Part of the V2X Innovation Programme, the project is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), delivered by Innovate UK.
Trials began in September 2024 and will run through to the end of March 2025.
Mike Potter, CEO of CrowdCharge, said, “The UK has a huge and largely untapped battery storage capability in the form of over one million electric vehicles that spend most of their time parked up.
“Using this resource can help reduce the load on electricity networks at peak times, as well as lowering costs and carbon.
“This project will trial how the latest EVs can be used as mini power plants to benefit businesses, electricity operators and the country as a whole.”
