V2G: A (r)evolution for electric cars

There's probably nothing we at EFUEL get as many questions about as V2G. But what do our suppliers who are actually driving the development say? We had a chat with a real expert in the field; Fridtjof Falkgård Riege, product specialist at Easee and real V2G enthusiast.

Hi Fredrik! Tell us, what is V2G really?

-V2G - vehicle-to-grid - means that the charger and the electric car communicate with the grid and react accordingly to reduce the load. Then there is also V2X - or vehicle-to-everything - which enables bidirectional charging, allowing the battery to be discharged and the energy to be used in other ways.

What does this mean for electric cars?

-For over a hundred years we have seen cars as something that consumes energy. But what if they could give back? When every electric car becomes a mobile power station, everything changes.

How ​​does it work practically for us in everyday life?

-When your electric car is parked, which it is most of the time, it can send power back to your home, office or to the public grid. The smart thing is that cars move to where the electricity is needed most. In the morning they are parked at workplaces, in the evening at home. Exactly where the demand is, says Riege.

What is the biggest benefit of V2G?

-The most direct benefit for the user is saving money - charge the car when electricity is cheap (often at night) and use it when electricity prices are high. But the real strength lies in V2G's system benefits. It helps smooth out the peaks and troughs of electricity consumption, reduces the load on the grid and keeps prices down for everyone.

Are there new benefits for the environment as well?

-V2G is a perfect match with renewable energy: photovoltaics don't produce electricity at night, wind power is erratic. With V2G, we can store green electricity when it is available and use it when it is needed. Expanding the electricity grid is expensive and often harmful to the environment - cutting down forests, destroying habitats and affecting communities. V2G allows us to get more out of the infrastructure we already have.

Who would you say are the biggest winners from V2G?

-Everyone - but in different ways:

Homeowners: Lower electricity bills and backup power in case of blackouts.

Businesses with large car parks: The cars can contribute to the building's electricity needs or stabilise the grid.

Vehicle fleets: Taxis, delivery vans, public transport - parked time becomes profitable.

Events: Festivals can be powered by electric cars instead of diesel generators.

Crisis preparedness: In case of disasters, electric cars can provide essential backup power.

A shared mission, part of the solution

No one can bring V2G technology to scale on their own. Easee is working with competitors, car manufacturers, utilities, universities and others - the goal is to make the connection between car, home and grid so seamless that you don't even notice it. You plug in the car and the rest happens automatically, says Riege.

Easee participates in PAVE - a Polestar-led V2G project in Sweden. Easee is responsible for the communication between car and charger. A test facility is already running at Polestar's headquarters and the next step is for five Swedish families to test the technology in their homes. Today's electricity grid is not adapted to the extensive electrification that is taking place. Charging infrastructure can either become a burden on the grid - or, conversely, act as a valuable, flexible resource for the energy system.

Illustration from Polestar's V2G project.

With over 850,000 smart charging points installed, Easee has established a unique, extensive network in Europe. This scale and technical capability makes Easee an ideal partner for grid operators, utilities and public authorities looking to promote a stable and sustainable energy supply.

New charger launched

At the Elfack trade fair in Gothenburg and at Power2Drive in Munich, Easee also presented the latest addition to its product portfolio - Easee Charge Pro. The charger is an important part of the strategy to take a more central role in the energy system. It is developed for larger charging facilities such as housing associations, workplaces and parking facilities. The charging box enables monitoring of energy consumption, price adjustments and ensures stable operation at one or more sites simultaneously

A complete charging range

With the launch of Charge Pro, Easee now offers a comprehensive range of charging stations adapted to different needs, enabling installers and partners to cover the entire market - from single-family homes to large multi-user facilities - with a single ecosystem:

Charge Up: A basic model for easy installation in private homes, without the need for energy metering.

Charge Max: MID-certified home charger for accurate consumption registration and reimbursement.

Charge Core: Scalable solution for larger and shared charging points without the need for MID certification or billing.

Charge Pro: Premium charger for demanding environments with the need for full functionality: metering, billing, remote control and advanced energy management. (ready for order at EFUEL in the fall)