Electric car home energy storage

Why do electric cars need battery storage?

Battery storage helps you charge your electric car with 100% renewable energy (when combined with solar). If you have enough battery storage and solar panels, you can be almost completely independent of the grid. When configured correctly, certain batteries can power your home, or part of your home, in a power-cut.

Can EV power a home?

This means you can charge your car like normal, but the energy flow can also be reversed (VTG), enabling the stored energy in the EV’s battery to be fed back into the grid or used to power a home (VTH). For this reason, this technology has the potential to play a crucial role in balancing the supply and demand of energy.

How many kWh can an EV store?

Each of these EVs averages around 40 kWh of battery storage. This means they could collectively store 72 million kWh. If used solely as a form of power storage, this could power 24,800 homes annually or meet the daily needs of 9 million households.

Can EVs be used as energy storage?

Using EVs as energy storage can significantly support the grid during peak demand, helping to balance supply and demand, especially as the UK shifts to renewable energy sources. Popular EVs, like the Audi Q4 e-tron or Nissan Leaf, have sufficient battery capacity to power homes for several days.

Can retired EV batteries be used for home energy storage?

No longer just a niche pursuit, using retired EV batteries for home energy storage has become more accessible and appealing, especially as advancements in DIY solutions continue to emerge.

Can I charge my home battery storage with off-peak electricity?

It’s also possible to charge your home battery storage with off-peak electricity. There are still Economy 7 tariffs available with a cheap night rate. There are also many other modern tariffs available, designed for customers with solar panels, electric cars, and batteries. Take a look at our Smart Meter Tariffs page for more details.