Not only is an electric car a more sustainable choice than a gasoline or diesel car, but it can also be used as a battery to charge the rest of your home appliances.
Bidirectional charging means that your electric car can charge two ways. That can be to the power grid, but also to your home to power your laptop or French fry pan. An EV is not the only device that has bidirectional charging. Thanks to the new USB-C port in the iPhone 15, the device can charge your AirPods or Apple Watch, for example.
Electric car as home power plant
There are several ways you can use your electric car as a home battery. If you have solar panels, you can charge your EV for free the moment the sun shines. Then at night you can run your household appliances, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, on power from your EV.
Don’t have solar panels but do have an electric car? Even then, there’s no man overboard. If you have a dynamic contract, you can then charge your EV at the time the power is cheap, so you can tap power from your electric bolide during the more expensive hours.
Charging AND charging back! (Image: Lidl)
This may sound a bit complicated, but it can easily save you some knots on your energy bill. You don’t even need solar panels to do it. Although, of course, those will allow you to cut costs even more.
Did someone say road trip?
In addition, of course, you can also use your electric car as a power source during a camping trip or road trip. For example, you can easily power your smartphone, laptop, fan and other portable electrical device. You can leave that power bank or generator at home. After all, you have one on wheels.
By no means all electric cars have the technology to charge other devices. The Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5 were among the first models where this could be done. Since it is now in smartphones such as the iPhone 15, there is a good chance it will be picked up by more manufacturers in the future.
