The Charger That Pays You Back

The Charger That Pays You Back

18 Mar 2026

Enphase Energy said it remains on track to begin volume production of a residential bidirectional electric vehicle charger in the US by the fourth quarter of 2026, positioning the product as part of a broader shift in how households manage electricity.

The system, known as the IQ Bidirectional EV Charger, enables energy to flow between an electric vehicle, a home and the wider grid. It allows users to charge vehicles during periods of lower tariffs, draw power from the vehicle during outages and export electricity back to the grid when demand is high.

US utilities have begun offering incentives for such vehicle-to-grid (V2G) participation, creating a potential revenue stream for households with compatible vehicles. The approach also supports grid operators facing rising demand and increased reliance on intermittent renewable energy sources.

Enphase said its charger is based on open international standards and is designed to work with any electric vehicle compliant with ISO 15118, a protocol governing communication between EVs and charging infrastructure. This contrasts with earlier systems tied to specific carmakers.

The company tested the technology during interoperability events in the US and Europe in 2025, assessing performance across different vehicles and grid conditions. Demonstrations have also been conducted in several European markets, including the UK, France, the Netherlands and Germany.

Among the features is a “Black Start” function, which can restore power to a home using only the vehicle’s battery without manual intervention. The system also uses software to manage charging and discharging based on electricity prices, solar generation and household consumption.

Enphase plans limited pilot deployments ahead of full-scale production. Early estimates suggest a price of between $4,000 and $5,000 before installation.

The rollout comes as automakers expand bidirectional capabilities across their models and regulators show greater support for open standards. Industry participants expect aggregated EV storage to play a growing role in balancing electricity systems, though adoption will depend on pricing, infrastructure and regulatory alignment.