Yes. Volvo Cars has launched a dedicated business unit, Volvo Cars Energy Solutions, and is running a real-world pilot in Gothenburg with Göteborg Energi Nät AB. The program tests bidirectional charging with the EX90, the first car from the brand built with hardware for AC and DC readiness.
The pilot uses low-cost AC wallboxes and actual customers to check technical feasibility and how cars can help balance the local energy mix. Early aims are practical: validate smart charging, test flexibility services, and study how spare battery capacity can support higher shares of renewable power.
This move signals a strategic business commitment rather than a one-off test. Volvo projects its mid-decade fleet will hold about 50 GWh of total battery capacity, while typical daily drives use far less energy than a full charge. That gap creates a clear way for cars to add value for owners and the wider grid.
Key Takeaways
- Volvo Cars confirmed a live pilot in Gothenburg to test bidirectional charging with real customers.
- The EX90 is the first model equipped for two-way charging, with AC and DC readiness.
- Low-cost AC wallboxes are central to the trial, offering an accessible charging pathway.
- The work links smart charging to grid flexibility and higher renewable integration.
- Volvo’s new business unit signals long-term commitment beyond a single trial.
- Typical daily driving uses a fraction of battery capacity, creating room for energy services.
Is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology being piloted by Volvo?
Yes. In November 2023, volvo cars and Göteborg Energi launched a live pilot in Gothenburg to test v2g on the local grid with real customers. The trial uses AC bidirectional charging so each vehicle can both draw and return energy during everyday use.
The project pairs a carmaker with a local utility to ensure market access and operational safety. That partnership matters because utility rules and market signals shape which services can scale over time.
The pilot checks system safety, communications, and backend controls. It evaluates services like flexibility and balancing, and tests aggregation and dispatch for peak periods.
| Aspect | Focus | Outcome to Validate |
|---|---|---|
| Participants | volvo cars + Göteborg Energi + customers | Market integration and customer acceptance |
| Scope | AC bidirectional charging | Safe two-way energy flows |
| Services | Flexibility, balancing, aggregation | Commercial viability and dispatch potential |
| Timing | Real-world, everyday use | Performance without harming daily mobility |
These tests help shape customer propositions, rate design, and future service structures. They also show the wider potential for cars to act as distributed energy assets once vehicle and utility ecosystems align.
Inside Volvo Cars Energy Solutions and the V2G rollout
The new business unit sets out to build clear products and services that connect cars to wider energy systems. It bundles hardware, software, and commercial offers so work moves beyond isolated trials into practical customer solutions.
A formal business unit and its product focus
Volvo Cars Energy Solutions is dedicated to charging and energy storage work. The unit will create easy-to-adopt products and services aimed at homeowners and fleets.
EX90: the first model ready for bidirectional charging
The EX90 arrives with hardware for both AC and DC bidirectional charging. That design lets the car support energy storage, accept solar input, and discharge to a home or network when rules allow.
Local partnership and low-cost AC wallbox trials
Work with Göteborg Energi Nät AB focuses on real customers and low-cost AC wallboxes. Starting with AC charging lowers barriers and accelerates market learning.
- Solutions stack: V2G for the grid, V2H for the home, and V2L for portable loads.
- Design goals: interoperability, safety, and simple products to boost adoption.
- Storage use: integrate solar energy storage into the car for later dispatch to home or grid needs.
The unit approach aligns product roadmaps, unit economics, and partnerships with utilities and aggregators. That structure helps scale services and iterate offerings as market rules and charging standards evolve.
How the Gothenburg V2G pilot works—and what it has delivered so far
Technical setup: AC bidirectional charging used low-cost wallboxes that link cars to operator systems. Communications handle authorization and safe export windows. Orchestration software decides when a car may discharge to support the power needs.
From spare battery capacity to the local supply
Smart charging shifts when vehicles draw or send electricity. When signals show high demand or attractive prices, the system dispatches stored energy and eases peak load on the power grid.
Early outcomes and measured delivery
In March events after the November start, four cars—including at least one EX40—returned 111 kWh to the local grid. Göteborg Energi leaders said the pilot proves end-to-end v2g can work and may meet up to 20% of flexibility needs.
- Real customers participated under everyday routines.
- Collected data informs safety envelopes, communications, and operational limits.
- Aggregation shows small fleets can deliver measurable energy and reduce local load peaks.
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicles | 4 | Includes EX40 |
| Returned | 111 kWh | Two March events |
| Potential | Up to 20% | Grid flexibility need |
Conclusion: Early results support continued tests of these systems, data-driven scaling, and market mechanisms to enable broader energy services.
Why it matters: customer benefits, grid stability, and scaling potential
Wider rollout matters because cars can offer tangible value at home and for power systems, not just on the road. This shifts the idea of an EV from a single-purpose vehicle to a flexible energy asset.
Use cases beyond two-way charging
V2H enables home backup and daily load shifting that reduces bills and boosts resilience. Owners can draw on stored energy to run appliances during outages.
V2L powers tools and devices for recreation or work, widening practical value beyond trips.
Economic and environmental upside
Peak shaving lowers household costs and eases pressure on the power grid. Dispatching stored energy during high-price or high-emissions hours can cut fossil generation.
U.S. snapshot and adoption factors
The EX90 is planned for the U.S. with bidirectional capability at launch. Other examples include Ford Lightning home backup, a Nissan Leaf V2G charger, and an upcoming Wallbox for the Kia EV9. Practical adoption depends on compatible charging hardware, clear programs, and service availability.
| Use | Customer Benefit | System Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Home backup (v2h) | Resilience, bill savings | Reduces local load during outages |
| Portable power (v2l) | Convenience for devices | Lower peak draw from mains |
| Market services | Revenue for owners | Peak shaving and flexibility |
| Fleet aggregation | New business models | Meaningful battery capacity for system needs |
What’s next for Volvo’s V2G ambitions
Roadmaps now aim for a staged rollout across Sweden and Europe, linked to policy windows and utility readiness. The plan moves from a focused test to repeatable offerings that work for homeowners and fleets as rules and partners align.
From pilot to broader adoption in Sweden and Europe
The business unit will push productization and partnerships to speed adoption. Success depends on certified hardware, clear communications standards, and aggregator support.
Fleet capacity targets and system implications
Volvo projects roughly 50 GWh of total EV fleet battery capacity by mid‑decade. Aggregated capacity can deliver valuable flexibility during constrained demand and reduce peak power stress on the grid.
Data-driven insight and smart charging in practice
Internal data shows typical daily European drives use less than 10 kWh, and 90% use less than 20 kWh. That leaves spare capacity for managed discharges when price or carbon signals favor it.
Smart charging will sequence when cars charge and discharge to optimize price, emissions, and owner preferences. AC and DC readiness in the EX90 shortens time to deploy services across markets.
| Focus | Why it matters | Near-term timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Scaling pilots | Enables wide adoption with utility partners | Iterative over months to years |
| Fleet capacity | 50 GWh offers meaningful aggregated value | Mid‑decade target |
| Customer systems | Hardware, standards, enrollment for reliability | Parallel with pilot learnings |
Conclusion
The Gothenburg pilot delivered concrete returns and practical lessons for scaling bidirectional charging. Real customers, simple AC wallboxes, and measured dispatch events proved end-to-end feasibility and returned 111 kWh to the local grid during early tests.
The new business unit and product roadmap position cars energy solutions to turn pilot insights into market-ready products. That work links charging, storage, and services so owners and utilities gain clear value.
With the EX90 ready for two-way operation and growing fleet battery capacity, this approach shortens time to value. Home use cases such as V2H and V2L extend a volvo car’s role beyond transport and support reliability and renewable integration.
Bottom line: staged pilots, formal solutions, and targeted partnerships offer a practical way forward. Watch for updates as products and markets expand access to these energy solutions.
FAQ
Is Volvo piloting bidirectional charging and related energy services?
Yes. Volvo Cars launched a new business unit, Volvo Cars Energy Solutions, to explore bidirectional charging and energy products. The company has started pilots in Gothenburg with models equipped for two-way charging and partnerships with local grid operator Göteborg Energi Nät AB and wallbox suppliers.
What does Volvo Cars Energy Solutions do?
The unit develops products and services for charging, energy storage, and smart power management. It designs offerings for home charging, fleet energy services, and grid support, aiming to turn parked cars into flexible distributed storage that can provide electricity back to homes or the network when needed.
Which Volvo model is set up for bidirectional charging?
The EX90 is the first Volvo model announced with readiness for bidirectional charging. It supports AC bidirectional charging and the company is preparing for future DC capability as standards and infrastructure evolve.
Who is Volvo partnering with for the Gothenburg pilot?
Volvo is working with Göteborg Energi Nät AB and local charging-box manufacturers to test low-cost AC wallboxes and coordination between cars and the distribution network. The collaboration focuses on practical grid services and customer-ready setups.
How does the Gothenburg pilot actually work?
The pilot uses smart charging controls and bidirectional inverters to send spare battery energy back to the grid or home. Vehicles, home chargers, and the grid exchange signals to manage timing, state of charge, and power flow, balancing user needs with network demands.
What early results came from the pilot?
Early trials with a small group of cars returned measurable energy to the network—about 111 kWh from four EVs—and demonstrated the ability to provide grid flexibility signals. The pilot shows potential for frequency response and peak shaving services.
Can cars provide power to homes and devices?
Yes. Besides vehicle-to-grid services, Volvo’s approach covers vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-load (V2L) use cases. These let an EV supply household circuits during outages or power external devices, acting as a home backup source when configured properly.
What are the economic and environmental benefits?
Bidirectional charging can shave peak demand, reduce reliance on fossil peaker plants, and create new revenue streams for owners and fleet operators. Aggregated car batteries can offer grid services that lower system costs and cut emissions when used to replace expensive or carbon-intensive generation.
How does this compare to other vehicles with similar features?
Bidirectional capability exists in several models globally. In markets like the U.S., options today include certain Ford, Nissan, and Kia models that support home power export. Volvo’s rollout follows these industry moves while focusing on integrated services and partnerships to scale in Europe.
What next steps has Volvo outlined for wider adoption?
Volvo plans to expand pilots across Sweden and Europe and to integrate services into its broader charging and energy portfolio. The aim is to move from demonstration projects to commercial offers for customers and fleets as standards, infrastructure, and business models mature.
What scale could fleet battery capacity reach and why does that matter?
Volvo has discussed ambitious fleet targets in the gigawatt‑hour range across Europe. Aggregated capacity on that scale could materially support grid balancing, provide large‑scale storage, and enable new energy services for distribution operators and utilities.
How much energy do typical daily drives use and why is that important?
Data show many daily trips consume well under 10–20 kWh. That means a significant portion of an EV’s battery often remains available for grid services without affecting mobility, making bidirectional use practical for many drivers.
