Exciting News! Last week, a 3-year-old Tesla Model 3 was successfully tested using a V2H/V2G bidirectional charger without any vehicle modifications. The test was performed by Finish company InterControl using German-made Ambibox bidirectional charging technology. The collaboration of these two innovative tech companies has potentially transformed what we know about Tesla & BYD’s true capabilities in regards to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home capabilities. Ambibox also successfully tested a BYD Atto 3 using the same Bidirectional charger (refer to post below).
Tesla’s V2G capability confirmed
The discovery occurred about one week ago (3rd July 2024) and was announced on Linkedin by Timo Kulkki, a Product Manager at InterControl.
This is a quote from the post: "You can imagine the surprise we found in the test; Tesla 3 is bidirectional: changing dynamically from charging to discharging, discharging around 5 kW power without any problem, and here are only the sample fotos from SoC 73 % to 69% and still going strong… "
Neither company has made an official announcement.
Ambibox released a video today showcasing a 2024 Tesla Model Y charging and discharging DC power via an Ambibox bidirectional charger, proving both the Model 3 and Model Y have integrated V2H and V2G functionality.
Note, this should not be confused with Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality which uses the vehicle’s on-board AC charger to operate.
Exciting news for all Model 3 and Y owners. It will be interesting to see how Tesla reacts and whether they officially confirm this in a press release or hold back until V2G standards and protocols are fully implemented.
The same company, Ambibox, also tested a BYD Atto 3 using the bidirectional charger, and it worked successfully, discharging up to 7kW. This confirms that BYD EVs are also capable of V2H and V2G using a compatible bidirectional charger without any vehicle modifications.
Here’s the link to the post from Manfred, the CEO of Ambibox in Germany.
Digging deeper into the discussion thread, it was revealed the system was externally controlled via the HEMS supplied home energy management system. However, it was also mentioned that it works with OCPP, which is more universal. BYD has clearly implemented the ISO15118-2 standard.
Home battery storage is in desperate need of a competition from V2G. Purchasing 60kwh worth of home battery can cost more than buying an EV with a 60kwh battery, yet EVs usually have better quality batteries and you’re getting a vehicle.
Sadly, have been waiting for years for V2G chargers to move beyond the “pilot program” stage.
Before everyone gets too excited lets remember the spanish Wallbox. That DC bidirectional charger costs a fortune, so it way better option to get a BYD car and use its onboard AC inverter for V2X.
If this German company has some business sense, then they won’t follow Wallbox.
Not necessarily, V2L ratings are very limited (10 to 15A max).
Most people don’t realise many affordable bidirectional Hybrid inverters (of the high-voltage or HV variety) work almost exactly the same way as a bidirectional EV charger, except they charge a stationary battery system instead of an EV battery.
Hybrid inverters seamlessly transition between charging and discharging with milliseconds, as well as solar energy conversion. We have been installing them for years, and they are becoming more affordable all the time; a 6kW bidirectional Hybrid inverter, such as the Sungrow SH6.0RS, costs as little as $2800.
yes, exactly, and did you notice the home backup industry is moving away from 48V batteries towards high voltage home batteries. I would not be surprised V2X drives this. One thing missing still, the communication between the EV and the home energy management system. For that one could use some opensource Raspberry Pi solution too.
Yes, true. There is a growing number of HV inverters and battery systems, but 48V still has its place in the home energy storage market as it’s much safer and user-friendly.
Another exciting revelation from Ambibox - The company successfully tested a Volvo EX30 with their bidirectional charger and was able to discharge up to 11kW DC. The Volvo EV is based on the same platform as the Zeekr X, so there’s no doubt the Zeekr will also be V2G compatible.
It appears that virtually any Electric Vehicle can be used for V2G/V2H using a correctly managed DC bidirectional charger and communications protocols. We just don’t know exactly what comms and tricks InterControl is using to enable V2G on these EVs.
Here’s the latest post from Timo Kulkki at InterControl…
"We have now KIA EV 9, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla 3, Polestar 2 and Ford Mustang Mach-E working with our Latinki 11 V2G DC charger bidirectionally, dynamically charging and discharging… not to mention the other brands/cars we are not allowed to mention here publicly! "
Anyone have an estimate for what a bi-directional charger like an ambibox would cost? Is it going to be the approximate 10K like the wallbox quasar or Sigen DC?
I cannot find official pricing yet. However, the Sigen 12.5kW DC charger is not $10k; it’s about $6k in Australia, which is far lower than the less powerful Quasar (7.4kW).
I suspect there will be many much more affordable Bidi chargers coming on the market very soon since they are almost identical to the power conversion technology used in (HV) hybrid inverters, which are far cheaper.
We were keen to buy a Volvo EX30 but the dealer in Surfers Paradise said categorically that the EX30 will not support V2G anytime soon.
Does anyone have any news to the contrary?
