Image: Nissan
Nissan, the Japanese automobile manufacturer, has announced plans to introduce bidirectional charging capabilities in select electric vehicles beginning in 2026. This system will support both AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) charging and is designed to be "affordable."
The main technical consideration for bidirectional charging has been whether to use AC or DC. An AC system allows electric vehicles to send electricity back to the grid without needing an external inverter. However, if the vehicle is primarily used for home charging, a DC setup is more efficient since the vehicle's battery, home energy storage, and rooftop solar systems all utilize direct current. Using AC for transferring power can lead to unnecessary energy loss during conversion. Conversely, a DC approach would require an external inverter for any other devices utilizing electricity from the vehicle battery in a home or grid context. Nonetheless, since Nissan aims to facilitate vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality, focusing on an AC solution is a logical choice.
Nissan has become the first automotive brand to receive the necessary grid certification in the UK, enabling it to offer this technology in its vehicles by 2026. The company also plans to expand into other European markets. According to their press release, “Under the banner of Nissan Energy, the company’s aim is to roll out V2G technology in the UK first, followed by other European markets, empowering consumers with either AC or DC-based V2G solutions, in alignment with local infrastructure and regulatory requirements.” However, specifics regarding the proposed DC solution remain undisclosed.
The UK solution is based on an AC model: after a one-year trial in Nottingham, Nissan obtained the “G99 Grid Code Certification” from TÜV Rheinland, which is necessary for feeding electricity into the UK’s public grid. Yet, the details of the onboard charger and the associated services for bidirectional charging are still under wraps. The company mentions that the project builds on its considerable experience with V2G, citing around 40 projects completed globally over the last decade.
Notably, the onboard system aims to minimize costs, with a target price comparable to that of current mono-directional chargers. This strategy is designed to lower barriers to adopting V2G technology, making it accessible to a broader audience. However, to function correctly, the system must be paired with a specific wallbox developed by Enovates, which was highlighted in the German press release but not mentioned in the English version. Nissan describes the wallbox as the system's hub, responsible for sending and receiving information about energy demand and supply, coordinating the electric vehicle's charging or energy distribution to the home or grid. Pricing details for this wallbox have not been disclosed.
With Nissan’s integrated bidirectional V2G technology, customers could potentially reduce their electricity bills associated with their electric vehicles by as much as 50%. This estimate is based on simulations reflecting typical UK electricity costs from their partner EDF Dreev. Additionally, it’s projected that CO2 emissions from charging in an average UK household could decline by up to 30% annually per electric vehicle.
The V2G pilot program in the UK received partial funding from the UK Government’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). Nissan collaborated with several partners, including Dreev and Enovates, where Dreev, a joint venture between EDF and NUVVEF, focused on data collection, customer profiling, and developing a charging/discharging strategy based on wallbox data. Enovates, a Belgian mobility technology firm, was responsible for the wallbox and the necessary Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) setup and certification.
Original News Website:
electrive.com, nissannews.com, germany.nissannews.com (German version)