Volvo electric cars have transmitted electricity back to the Swedish Gothenburg power grid for the first time

Four Volvo electric cars have successfully transferred electricity to the local grid in the city of Gothenburg as part of a two-way charging (V2G) pilot project.

Here's What We Know

The pilot project between Volvo Cars and local energy company Göteborg Energi, launched in November 2023, successfully concluded in March with the transfer of 111 kWh of electricity from the electric cars' batteries back to the grid in two sessions.

Therese Caesar, a spokesperson for Göteborg Energi, said that the trial demonstrated the technology's performance at all stages. She also said that V2G will make electric car ownership more economical, as electricity can be sold locally to compensate for power shortages on the grid.

Project features:

• Four Volvo electric cars were used (including at least one EX40)
• Inexpensive alternating current (AC) wall chargers were used to connect to the grid
• These devices were chosen because of their relative affordability for end users

Previously, Lars Edström, CEO of local grid owner Göteborg Energi Elnät, has predicted that up to 20 per cent of future grid balancing needs could be met by vehicle-to-grid technology, so the technology has a lot of potential.

Although the companies did not specify exactly how they would use the experience gained in this experiment, one of the aims of the project was to demonstrate to other utilities that V2G programmes can offer real benefits. Volvo Cars has also created a new division, Volvo Cars Energy Solutions, to develop energy products and services in 2023.

Source: goteborg_energi