Electric car increasingly doubles as a home battery
Bidirectional charging is becoming available, but the car, charging point and software must all be compatible.
A growing number of electric cars can not only take in electricity but also feed it back to a home or the electricity grid. The technology is still available only to a limited extent in the Netherlands and is not the same as simply using electricity from a car.
With bidirectional charging, an electric car can function in several ways. Vehicle-to-load supplies electricity to individual appliances, vehicle-to-home powers a home and vehicle-to-grid can feed electricity back into the electricity grid. The latter two applications in particular place high demands on the car, charging point, software and grid operator.
ANWB writes that consumers can now use the first practical applications in which their car serves as a home battery. At the same time, technical overviews warn that many models can power appliances only via a socket and are not automatically suitable for connection to a home or the grid.
The potential benefit lies in storing solar power during the day and using it later. A car battery often has more capacity than a small fixed home battery. The trade-off is that the car must remain available, additional charging equipment is needed and charging and feed-in rules differ from system to system.
A study published by the Lower House (Tweede Kamer) examines the potential savings from bidirectional charging for households with solar panels. According to the technical conditions, the actual return depends on charging behaviour, energy prices, the car and the connection to the grid.
The technology can help absorb peaks, but it does not automatically solve grid congestion. That requires agreements on when cars may charge or discharge, who controls the battery and how wear, safety and compensation are regulated.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Some electric cars can feed electricity back.
- The technology requires suitable vehicles, charging points, software and grid connections.
- The return and availability vary from one household to another.
Left
Arguments Public investment and clear rules are needed to use electric cars as part of the energy system. The benefits should not go only to households with a private driveway and solar panels.
Values Accessible sustainability, collective infrastructure and fair sharing of costs and benefits.
Consequences Regulation can enable widespread adoption, but requires public investment.
Centre
Arguments The technology deserves room if it is demonstrably safe and efficient. First, standards, compensation and agreements with grid operators must be clarified.
Values Reliability, innovation and practical feasibility.
Consequences A gradual introduction prevents disappointment and overloading of local grids.
Right
Arguments Motorists and businesses should be able to decide for themselves whether to make their batteries available. Too many obligations could make choosing an electric car less attractive.
Values Ownership, freedom of choice and market forces.
Consequences Voluntary participation may slow adoption, but prevents owners from being required to use their cars as public infrastructure.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The technical distinctions and limitations were checked against ANWB, RVO and parliamentary documentation. The article makes no general statement about individual vehicles or savings.
- confirmed Bidirectional charging includes vehicle-to-load, vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid, among other forms. — These applications are explained in the technical sources consulted. source
- confirmed Not all electric cars can power a home or the grid. — The sources distinguish between V2L and full bidirectional charging. source
- confirmed Bidirectional charging can help absorb peaks on the grid. — The Nationaal Laadonderzoek describes its expected use in preventing overload. source
Editor's note
Bidirectional charging is emerging technically and commercially, but not every electric car can supply electricity to a home or the grid. Financial benefits depend on the circumstances.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „elektrische auto's”
- NOS — „elektrische auto's”
- Het Parool — „elektrische auto's”