Nissan is planning to launch affordable bi-directional charging on selected electric vehicles in 2026 for vehicle to grid (V2G) applications starting in the UK.
The Nissan Leaf had bi-directional charging and has been a key electric vehicle for testing V2G technology in over 40 projects around the world.
EVs equipped with V2G technology can play a crucial role in integrating and increasing the mix of renewables into the energy supply by storing electricity generated by wind or solar and directing it into the grid when needed, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
A year-long trial at The University of Nottingham in the UK has seen Nissan receive G99 Grid code certification with an AC-based charger to supply electricity into the UK national energy supply, the first automotive company to do so.
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Nissan Energy plans to roll-out V2G technology in the UK first, followed by other markets in Europe with either AC or DC-based V2G chargers depending on local infrastructure and regulatory requirements.
As one of the bi-directional systems Nissan plans to offer, this AC-bidirectional system certified in the UK will leverage an integrated on-board charger to deliver a lower cost of entry, allowing the technology to be accessible to more people. Nissan aims to offer its AC bi-directional charger at a price comparable to a mono-directional charger available today.
As well as lowering the cost of entry, Nissan’s V2G system will give control and flexibility over the energy supply via a dedicated App
“This technology we will bring to customers is a potential game-changer for how we think of EVs. Not just as a means of getting from A to B, but as a mobile energy storage unit that can save people money and support the transition from fossil fuels, bringing us closer to a carbon-free future,” said Hugues Desmarchelier, vice president of Nissan’s global electrification ecosystem & EV programmes.
