Volvo EX90 to offer bi-direction charging

A computer-generated image shows the shape of the Volvo EX90. Image: Volvo

Volvo Cars wants its full-electric flagship to give power back to the grid, which should put money back into customers' bank accounts.

The EX90, which will be revealed on November 9, will be the first Volvo to be hardware-ready for bi-directional charging.

Paired with smart-charging capabilities that will be added to Volvo's smartphone app, the EX90 will allow customers to charge their cars when demand from the grid and prices are low and to store that energy in the EV's battery to be used later.

Once available, bi-directional charging in the Volvo EX90 could enable you to power your home, as well as other electric devices.

“With the Volvo EX90 you can power your life,” said Olivier Loedel, Head of Electrification Ecosystem at Volvo Cars. “You could use its battery in many ways, from topping up your electric bike when you’re out and about, to hooking up an outdoor cooking appliance for your weekend camping trip. It could even power your house during the expensive peak hours of the day.”

Along with being able to charge appliances and other devices, your car will ultimately have the capability to lend a helping hand and give some of its charge to other compatible Volvos. On the flip side, if you’re about to run out of juice, don’t worry: you can accept the same help from other Volvo cars as well.

Where available, the entire charging process will be automatic and managed entirely by the smart charging functionality in the Volvo Cars app. The underlying algorithm also makes sure that you charge and discharge the battery in a limited way, reducing the risk of avoidable battery degradation.

 bi-directional charging could also allow customers to support the grid in different ways. This could include taking in more energy during times when there’s a surplus of renewable energy, or selling energy back during peak usage hours when there is more demand. If most cars have this functionality in the future, then the grid could be balanced more often. That could increase the overall sustainability of the grid by reducing potential energy waste from renewable sources at times when production outperforms demand.

Other EVs that allow this technology include Nissan’s latest generation Leaf, the Mitsubishi Outlander and Eclipse plug-in hybrids.

Meanwhile, Volvo Cars NZ is getting ready to launch the C40 Recharge SUV soon.