Bi-directional charging points will allow EVs to return power to the grid following the establishment of a partnership between ABB, software technology company Dreev, electric utility company EDF and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology provider Nuvve.
The 11kW V2G charging kiosks, which will integrate ABB solutions with Dreev software, will initially be installed in France prior to a roll-out of the technology in the UK, Italy, Belgium and Germany.
According to ABB, the technology will enable drivers to make up to €20 (£18) per EV per month from exporting surplus power back to the grid, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership.
Bi-directional chargers also help smooth the flow of uneven generation of electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind.
Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB’s global business for e-mobility infrastructure solutions, said: “The development of this intelligent bi-directional charging solution will be key in enabling the next step in the evolution of our e-mobility ecosystem and represents a key milestone in ABB’s sustainability strategy.”
Whilst few current EVs support V2G, the partnership predicts it will become the dominant technology within the next five years. Therefore, the new chargers are compatible with current and future EVs and meet grid compliance requirements.
