Kia recently unveiled its latest all-electric vehicle, the EV9, and pre-orders are now open. The three-row SUV is set to take on the family-vehicle market with a range of up to 304 miles. What’s even more impressive is the EV9’s bidirectional charging capability, which allows it to share energy between the SUV and your home, creating a circular energy cycle. With a partnership with Wallbox, Kia is even looking to give back to the community grid through the EV9.
Similarly, Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 EV, introduced in 2023, also features a vehicle-to-grid (V2L) energy exchange, offering fast charging and the ability to power up electrical devices on the go. But Kia’s collaboration with Wallbox is taking it to the next level with its bidirectional battery charger, capable of holding enough energy to power an average home for about four days.
Moreover, in the case of a power outage, the bidirectional charger automatically switches the user’s power source from the grid to their vehicle, serving as an emergency generator. This could be a game-changer in areas prone to power failures, such as those affected by natural disasters like hurricanes and ice storms.
Kia’s demonstration at the Los Angeles Auto Show showcased the simplicity of vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging, illustrating how easy it can be to set up the bidirectional charger at home and plug in your car. The Wallbox Quasar 2 manages the charging and discharging of power based on smart time-of-day management and car energy needs.
