UK tests workplace vehicle-to-grid with free chargers as incentive

A vehicle to grid (V2G) trial in the UK is testing workplace V2G charging technology, offering trial participants free V2G chargers as incentive.

The V2VNY project aims to demonstrate, test and refine V2G technology, pushing the boundaries of charging technology and paving the way for its broader adoption.

Trial participants will be provided with a free V2G EV charger which can be kept after the end of the project.

V2G technology enables EVs to be charged at times when electricity costs are low, and then put energy back into the grid, into a building or another EV, when electricity costs are higher.

The project is being led by transport solutions developer Hangar 19 in partnership with EV leasing company DriveElectric and AI-powered V2X (vehicle to everything) tech developer CrowdCharge.

Other project partners include Grid Beyond, Oxfordshire County Council, Electric Corby and JLR, who will be providing prototype EVs for use in the trial.

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According to DriveElectric in a release, most previous V2G trials used Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicles with CHAdeMO DC charging technology. Alternatively, this is one of the first V2G trials in the UK to use AC charging with the latest generation of EVs featuring ‘vehicle to load’ technology.

Trial participants need at least two electric vehicles in their fleet which feature vehicle-to-load technology from Genesis, Hyundai, Kia or MG.

Through the vehicle-to-grid trial, businesses will be provided with a free 7kW AC bidirectional charger with two sockets and a software package to optimise the charging, worth in total over £5,750 (approximately $7,435).

Participants can keep the charger after the trial but will have to pay for the installation of the charger and for continued use of the software after the end of the trial.

Commenting in a release was Mike Potter, CEO of CrowdCharge and DriveElectric: “The UK has a huge and largely untapped battery storage capability in the form of over one million electric vehicles that spend most of their time parked up.

“Using this resource can help reduce the load on electricity networks at peak times, as well as lowering costs and carbon. This project will trial how the latest EVs can be used as mini power plants to benefit businesses, electricity operators and the country as a whole.”

Recruiting for eligible participants is already underway for the V2VNY trial which commences later this year in September and which will run through to the end of March 2025.

The V2VNY Phase 2 project, part of the V2X Innovation Programme, is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), delivered by Innovate-UK.

The V2X Innovation Programme is part of the up to £65 million ($84 million) Flexibility Innovation Programme, funded from the £1 billion ($1.3 billion) Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.