Bidirectional charging, now featured in several electric vehicle models, effectively enables drivers to use their EVs as batteries on wheels. As a country that loves camping and road trips, having this power on tap opens up a world of possibilities. In this guide we:
- Explain the different types of bidirectional charging
- List which electric car models feature bidirectional charging
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🔃 Comprehensive Guide on Bidirectional Charging
🔌 Ultimate EV Charging Guide
🚗 Electric Cars Available in Australia (2023)
What is Bidirectional Charging?
When an EV is being charged, alternating current (AC) electricity from the grid is converted to direct current (DC) so it can be used by the car battery. This is done by a ‘convertor’ which is located in the car or in the charger. This is unidirectional charging, where energy flows one way from the grid to the car.
Bidirectional EV charging is essentially ‘charging’ that occurs two ways (back and forth). Energy will flow from the grid to the car or it can be sent back to the grid or power other devices.
Like a portablepower bank used to charge your personal electronic devices, your car can be used in the same way. In the case of EVs, the ‘devices’ are much larger – they could be a barbeque, your house or the electricity grid.
Bidirectional charging is the ‘umbrella’ term that covers several different use cases, with the most common being – V2G, V2H and V2L.
| Vehicle to Load, VtoL or V2L | V2L is the most basic application of bidirectional charging. It does not require a bidirectional charger. Instead, a V2L adapter is plugged into your type 2 charging port which allows the car to operate as a portable battery pack with a standard 120/240V power supply. |
| Vehicle to Home, VtoH or V2H | V2H involves using energy from your EV to power your home or business. This works in the same way a stationary home storage battery (like the Tesla Powerwall 2) does in reducing grid consumption, except your car needs to be plugged into a bidirectional charge point. |
| Vehicle to Grid, VtoG or V2G | V2G involves using energy from your EV to stabilise the grid. This is done through a ‘smart’ bidirectional charger, which is typically part of a VPP (Virtual Power Plant). Subject to defined parameters, your energy retailer will control when your battery is charged or discharged. |
MG ZS EV - V2L
The MG ZS EV is a five-seater electric small SUV. Priced from $44,990 drive-away, it is currently the cheapest electric car available in Australia.
The ZS EV features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's charging port located at the front. It can support a maximum load of 2.2 kW.
MG4 - V2L
The MG 4 is a five-seater electric small SUV. Priced from $44,990 drive-away, it is currently the cheapest electric car available in Australia.
The MG 4 features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's charging port located at the front. It can support a maximum load of 2.2 kW.
BYD Atto 3 - V2L
The BYD Atto 3 is a five-seater electric small SUV made in China. Priced from around $44,381 before on-road costs, it has up to 420km of claimed driving range, two battery pack sizes, and is front-wheel drive.
The BYD Atto 3 features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's external charging port on the front-right side of the car. The car can support a maximum load of 3.6 kW, however, we understand the rated maximum load of the adapter that comes with it is 2.2 kW.
BYD Dolphin - V2L
The BYD Dolphin is a five-seater electric hatchback made in China. Priced from around $38,890 before on-road costs, it has up to 427km of claimed driving range, two battery pack sizes, and is front-wheel drive.
The BYD Dolphin features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's external charging port on the front-right side of the car. The car can support a maximum load of 3.6 kW, however, we understand the rated maximum load of the adapter that comes with it is 3.3 kW.
BYD Seal - V2L
The BYD Seal is a five-seater electric sedan made in China. Priced from around $49,888 before on-road costs, it has up to 570km of claimed driving range, two battery pack sizes, and rear or AWD drive drivetrains.
The BYD Seal features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's external charging port on the front-right side of the car. The car's onboard charger can support a maximum load of 3.6 kW, however, we understand the rated maximum load of the adapter that comes with it is 3.3 kW.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 - V2L
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in South Korea. Priced from $69,900 before on-road costs.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via a powerpoint located below the second-row seats or externally via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.
Hyundai has been conducting ongoing V2X trials in Korea indicating the Ioniq 5 may have the necessary hardware to support V2G/V2H, albeit this has never been officially confirmed by Hyundai.
Kia EV6 - V2L
The Kia EV6 is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in South Korea. Priced from $72,590 before on-road costs.
The Kia EV6 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via a powerpoint located below the second-row seats or externally via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.
Kia EV9 - V2L, V2G, V2H
The recently launched Kia EV9 is a seven-seater large electric SUV made in South Korea. It is priced from $97,000 before on-road costs.
he Kia EV9 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via a power point located below the second-row seats for the Air and Earth variants. The GT-Line also allows for external V2L via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.
The Kia EV9 has been confirmed to have the required hardware to support V2G/V2H. It is one of the few models currently available which has this capability confirmed in its official specifications.
Kia Niro EV - V2L
The Kia Niro EV is a five-seater electric small SUV made in South Korea. Priced from $65,300 before on-road costs.
The Kia Niro EV provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. All models have an interior V2L plug underneath the rear seats, while only the hero GT-Line is capable of exterior V2L using an adapter at its front-mounted charging port.
Genesis GV60, GV70, G80 - V2L
V2L adapter that comes standard with all electric Genesis carsGenesis GV60
The Genesis GV60 is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in South Korea. Priced from $103,700 before on-road costs.
The Genesis GV60 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via a powerpoint located below the second-row seats or externally via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.
Genesis Electrified GV70
The Genesis Electrified GV70 is a five-seater electric medium SUV made in South Korea. Priced from $127,800 before on-road costs.
The Genesis GV70 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via powerpoint in the boot or externally via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.
Genesis Electrified G80
The Genesis Electrified G80 is an all-electric large luxury sedan, with one high-spec variant offered in Australia starting from $145,000 before on-road costs.
The Genesis Electrified G80 features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's external charging port on the front-right side of the car, supporting a maximum load of 3.6 kW. V2L is not possible internally unlike the GV60 and GV70.
Nissan Leaf - V2H, V2G
The Nissan Leaf is a five-seater electric small hatchback made in the United Kingdom. Priced from $50,990 before on-road costs.
The Nissan Lead features bidirectional charging via V2H (Vehicle to Home) and V2G (Vehicle to Grid) capable of an output of up to 7 kW. This functionality is only possible through a bidirectional charger such as the Wallbox Quasar. Connected to the bidirectional charger, the Nissan Leaf can be charged and discharged similarly to a home battery. Outside of several trials being conducted around the country, V2H/V2G has not been approved for wide-scale use by most energy networks.
The Nissan Leaf is one of the few V2G/V2H compatible cars available for sale. Unlike the rest of the cars on this list, it does not feature V2L.
Cupra Born - V2H, V2G
The Cupra Born is a five-seater electric small hatchback made in the United Kingdom. Priced from $59,990 before on-road costs.
The Cupra Born is equipped with the hardware to support bidirectional charging via V2H (Vehicle to Home) and V2G (Vehicle to Grid). This functionality is only possible through a compatible bidirectional charger such as the Wallbox Quasar 2. Wallbox successfully completed a live demonstration of V2G/V2H with the Cupra Born at Power2Drive this year at the Smarter E Europe event in Munich, Germany. It should be noted that the Wallbox Quasar 2 which uses the CCS plug is not yet available nor approved for use in Australia. The Quasar 2 is expected to become available for sale in the European market in the second half of 2024.
The Cupra Born is the only V2H and V2G compatible car available for sale that uses the CCS plug. Unlike the rest of the cars on this list, it does not feature V2L.
Mitsubishi Outlander, Eclipse Cross - V2G, V2H, V2L
The Mitsubishi Outlander and Eclipse Cross PHEVs are compact SUVs which offer V2G, V2H and V2L through its 13.8 kWh battery pack. Similar to the Nissan Leaf it uses the CHAdeMO plug to harness energy via V2G/V2H.
Mitsubishi claimed an Australian first after switching on bidirectional EV charging facilities at its head office in Adelaide that will allow the flow of electricity both to vehicle from grid, and from vehicle back to grid (V2G).
The new models of the Outlander and Eclipse Cross PHEV are also capable of providing up to 1.5 kW of power through a V2L adapter.
