Volvo’s first bi-directional-charging EV — its upcoming EX90 flagship SUV — will be revealed on November 9, the automaker teased early October. It will be the automaker’s first car capable of being a “virtual powerplant,” allowing owners the option to power their homes with the vehicle’s batteries using specialized hardware.
It also allows owners to charge their cars when demand from the grid and prices are low, introducing a sustainability element for its drivers that could lead to cost savings, according to Volvo.
“With the Volvo EX90, you can power your life,” Volvo’s head of electrification ecosystem Olivier Loedel said in a statement. “You could use its battery in many ways, from topping up your electric bike when you’re out and about to hooking up an outdoor cooking appliance for your weekend camping trip. It could even power your house during the expensive peak hours of the day.”
The automaker also announced it’s planning to offer an advanced wall box, a home energy management system, adapter plugs for appliances, and cables for charging other cars.
Using the Volvo Cars smartphone app, the charging process for the EX90 will be automatic and managed entirely from one’s device. Its algorithm also ensures that less energy will be used to charge your vehicle at certain times. It can also power and discharge the battery in a limited way to avoid battery degradation.
Volvo is hoping that bi-directional charging could provide new opportunities for homeowners and drivers to support the grid and boost its sustainability.
“You come home from work with plenty of energy left in the battery, which has earlier been charged with cheaper and cleaner electricity. During the evening, your car can be plugged in and discharge energy when electricity prices are higher. Since energy is generally cheaper when climate-neutral sources are contributing more to the power supply, this energy transaction can save money on your energy bill and give back cleaner energy to the grid at the same time,” Volvo noted in the statement.
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