New trial allows electric car owners to sell surplus energy

Are you an electric car owner who wants to make extra money from your environmentally friendly vehicle?

If so, you’ll be interested to hear an innovative energy supplier has revealed a new domestic “vehicle-to-grid charger” which is set to be rolled out over the course of this summer.

Created by Ovo Energy, the system allows owners of electric vehicles to sell surplus energy from their cars back to the National Grid.

This could help supply UK homes and businesses with energy at times of high demand, and offset the cost of running an electric vehicle.

Due to be rolled out in a trial this summer to 1,000 Nissan electric vehicle owners, the system can automatically detect when demand is high on the grid, and distribute power from electric vehicles to meet this.

The technology is also able to check energy prices – only charging a vehicle during off-peak times and therefore saving the owner money.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, Ovo Energy CEO and founder, said: “Renewable energy and electric vehicles are perfect partners for the 21st Century.

“Today we’re launching the world’s first widely available vehicle-to-grid charger, helping to solve one of the biggest challenges facing the energy sector.

“We’re enabling thousands of EV batteries to help balance the grid in times of peak demand, allow more renewable energy to come on to the system, and enable households to reduce their electricity bills.”

Ovo Energy has also released a new home energy storage system for domestic users.

It would allow owners to manage their energy and power use, enabling them to sell back energy to the grid should it not be used.

The vehicle-to-grid charger is available to owners of Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles, and is part of a twoyear trial into the technology.

It’ll be free for Ovo Energy customers who are taking part in the trial.

Ovo’s electric car to grid charger could help electric vehicle owners save money.