Could Car Batteries Power Our Homes?

Researchers from the Universities of Nottingham and Warwick explore how electric car charging technology could be used to power homes.

08:06 11 November 2021

Researchers from the Universities of Nottingham and Warwick are currently working together as they explore how electric car charging technology could be used to power homes. 

 

EV-elocity is funded by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy. The UK-wide project uses special vehicle-to-grid chargers as part of the large-scale trials to gain insights into the emerging technology. 

 

Professor Lucelia Rodrigues, the project's University of Nottingham lead, said: "Cities saw a huge drop in CO2 levels during lockdowns and installing V2G technology could help to reduce emissions from transport and electricity production long-term."

 

"There is an urgent need to resolve this disconnect and find a way to increase the grid's capacity to store excess renewable power to reduce pressure on the energy system's infrastructure," she said.

 

"Why invest in a battery for your home if you have a car with a battery?"

 

Dr Julie Waldron, research fellow at the University of Nottingham, said: "Electric vehicles could be a source of income when they're parked up.

 

"We know cost is a major factor deterring mass adoption of electric vehicles, but if V2G charging helps owners get a quick return on their investment, it could make purchasing electric vehicles a much more attractive option."