California pilot tests vehicle to home charging to cut peak bills and provide backup power
By Eve
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine's Advanced Power and Energy Program are running a demonstration project in Menifee, California, pairing EVs with bidirectional chargers to send power back into homes. The setup allows drivers to discharge vehicles during peak hours (4pm to 9pm), when electricity costs roughly double off peak rates, potentially eliminating grid draw during expensive periods while also providing backup power during outages.
Why it matters
The pilot demonstrates a commercial use case for bidirectional charging infrastructure that could drive demand for compatible hardware and installation services. For CPOs and installers, vehicle to home capability adds a value proposition beyond transport that may accelerate residential charger deployments in time of use pricing markets.
Source
- Original title
- “Researchers test EVs that can keep homes on during outages, trim peak-hour bills”
- Published
- 17 October 2026
- Updated
- 18 October 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Grid & Energy
- Place
- United States
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