The Japanese carmaker says the project progresses the commitment made in Nissan’s business plan, The Arc, to deliver differentiated innovations that enable the EV transition, while unlocking new revenue streams. It also supports the company’s long-term vision, Ambition 2030, to create a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world.
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology enables EV owners to use electricity stored in their car’s battery to power their homes or sell it back into the grid.
EVs equipped with V2G technology can play a crucial role in integrating and increasing the mix of renewables into the energy supply by storing electricity generated by wind or solar and directing it into the grid when needed, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
Hugues Desmarchelier, vice president of Nissan’s global electrification ecosystem & EV programs, said: “This technology we will bring to customers is a potential game-changer for how we think of EVs. Not just as a means of getting from A to B, but as a mobile energy storage unit that can save people money and support the transition from fossil fuels, bringing us closer to a carbon-free future.”
The project is underpinned by Nissan’s extensive experience in V2G, with a total of approximately 40 pilot projects conducted in various markets around the world throughout the past decade.
Following a successful year-long trial at The University of Nottingham, UK, Nissan says it has become the first automotive company to gain G99 Grid code certification with an AC-based solution. A G99 certificate enables the holder to supply electricity into the UK national energy supply.
The trial also provided a valuable opportunity to validate scalable AC and DC-based bi-directional systems and obtain customer feedback.
Under the banner of Nissan Energy, the company’s aim is to roll-out V2G technology in the UK first, followed by other markets in Europe, empowering consumers with either AC or DC-based V2G solutions, in alignment with local infrastructure and regulatory requirements.
As one of the bi-directional systems Nissan plans to offer, this AC-bidirectional system certified in the UK will leverage an integrated on-board charger to deliver a lower cost of entry, allowing the technology to be accessible to more people. Nissan aims to offer its AC bi-directional charger at a price comparable to a mono-directional charger available today.
As well as lowering the cost of entry, Nissan’s V2G system will give customers complete control and flexibility over their energy via a dedicated App.
The launch forms part of Nissan’s strategy to create a fully integrated energy ecosystem, with sustainably manufactured EVs providing zero-emission transport, charged using clean energy and capable of providing power to the home as well as to the grid.
