A new white paper on ‘Unlocking Industry Barriers to Providing V2X Flexibility’ is now available from smart charging specialist EV.Energy.

The white paper sets out a clear roadmap towards implementing smart bi-directional charging

The document explores the future of EV charging and its significance in creating a sustainable energy grid and promoting cleaner air quality.

It also sets out a clear roadmap towards implementing smart bi-directional charging, enabling EVs to support the energy grid – paving the way for V2X energy flexibility to become market-ready.

The white paper underscores the importance of consumer acceptance in realising the potential of V2X technology and calls for work on attractive compensation models for consumers participating in V2X programmes and the availability of affordable and compatible charging equipment for V2X capabilities.

Other required areas include promoting safe battery and vehicle operations during bi-directional energy flows; enhancing the user experience by providing seamless integration and intuitive controls for V2X functionalities; and establishing trust and understanding among consumers regarding the benefits and technical aspects of V2X technology.

To overcome these barriers, ev.energy calls for collaboration among automakers, charger manufacturers, energy management platforms, utilities, regulators, and government entities.

The report is informed by more than 40 hours of industry expert interviews from the UK, EU, and US, as well as consumer surveys, industry reports, and data analysis.

The white paper forms part of EV.Energy’s V2X-Flex project in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult. The V2X-Flex project, part of the V2X Innovation Programme, is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), delivered by Innovate UK. V2X is part of the up to £65m Flexibility Innovation Programme, funded from the £1 billion DESNZ Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

Nick Woolley, CEO and co-founder at EV.Energy, said: “The V2X-Flex project builds on EV.Energy’s world-leading smart charging platform, incorporating bi-directional charging technologies to unlock an exciting new range of EV charging products and services. As a global EV charging platform, EV.Energy works with charger manufacturers, vehicle OEMs, and energy utilities to connect electric vehicles with the smart grid. Collaboration and alignment are key to delivering successful innovation and we are thrilled to be delivering this project with such a great range of partners.”

Dancia Caiger-Smith, consumer research lead at Energy Systems Catapult, said: “Smart charging is already helping us better align EV charging with intermittent renewable energy generation. Adding two-way charging – charge and discharge – establishes greater energy flexibility. Most importantly, two-way charging could help consumers use energy in ways that give them what they need, when they need it, in their homes, cars, and on the grid. This adds value to the EV proposition. The more we can establish services that provide value to consumers the greater their uptake and the greater the opportunity for EV energy flexibility becomes.”

The ev.energy white paper on unlocking industry barriers to providing V2X energy flexibility is available to download here.