Domestic energy supply through electric vehicles:
Using an electric vehicle as a power source for your house, like powering your lights or computer: This could potentially happen through "two-way charging." The car acts as a temporary power bank. However, this technology has its limitations.
Eon, an energy company based in Essen, Germany, summarizes that electric cars with specific battery technology could theoretically store enough power to support 1.75 million households for 12 hours. Eon points out the approximately 166,000 electric vehicles in Germany that support two-way charging.
Two-way charging allows energy generated by a homeowner's solar panels, for example, to be stored in the car's battery. Later, energy flows from the parked car back into the household to fulfill its energy requirements. The battery serves not only for driving but also as a temporary energy storage, reducing dependence on the main power grid.
Two-way charging is a relatively uncommon technology as of now. The Federal Motor Transport Authority reports that there are around 60.7 million registered vehicles in Germany. The 166,000 electric vehicles capable of two-way charging, mainly from Asian manufacturers, account for about 0.3% of the total German vehicle fleet.
Eon manager Filip Thon states, "Extensive, complete use of the technology is currently being tested." Advocating for using the electric car battery not just for driving but as an integral part of our energy system. Eon's analysis is an experiment showing the vast potential of this new technology.
The implementation of two-way charging in more vehicles could significantly contribute to reducing reliance on traditional power sources, potentially supporting a larger portion of households' energy needs. As of now, electric vehicles with two-way charging capabilities account for only a small portion of the total German vehicle fleet, highlighting the need for broader adoption of this technology in the economy.
