Audi says the A2 e-tron can use its high-voltage battery as a mobile energy store as well as for driving. The electric car supports Vehicle-to-Load for powering external devices and Vehicle-to-Home for using stored energy in the household. Vehicle-to-Grid, which feeds power back into the public grid, is due to follow later.
Audi has outlined the bidirectional charging functions of the A2 e-tron. According to the manufacturer, the car’s high-voltage battery is meant to do more than supply energy for driving: it can also serve as a power source when the car is parked.
Two functions available now
The company names two bidirectional functions for the A2 e-tron.
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) lets the car supply external devices directly from its battery. In general, this means electrical equipment can be powered from the car away from a mains socket.
Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) allows energy stored in the battery to be used in the household. In practice, this kind of setup lets a home draw on electricity held in the car rather than relying only on the grid.
Vehicle-to-Grid is still to come
Audi says Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) will be added in the future. It would allow the A2 e-tron to feed energy back into the public power grid. The manufacturer has not given a timeframe for its introduction.
What is not yet known
The announcement is brief. Audi has not published output figures for V2L or V2H. It has also not said what home hardware is needed, which markets the functions will be offered in, or whether they come as standard or at extra cost.
What it means
Bidirectional charging is becoming a common feature on new electric cars. It lets the battery act as a flexible energy reserve, not just a source of range. With V2L and V2H confirmed and V2G planned, the A2 e-tron joins the growing number of EVs that can share their stored energy with devices and homes.
Audi has not yet given a date for the arrival of Vehicle-to-Grid on the A2 e-tron.
Source: www.audi.com