Ford Has A Bidirectional EV Charging Trick Up Its Sleeve

The article discusses Ford Motor Company's evolving strategy in electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage, highlighted by a recent study conducted with the University of Michigan. While Ford has shifted some focus back to traditional gas and hybrid vehicles, it is simultaneously expanding its involvement in energy storage technologies. The study, published in Nature Energy, presents evidence that households owning EVs equipped with bidirectional vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging technology can significantly reduce electricity costs—potentially saving between $2,400 and $5,600 over time. These savings could partially offset the loss of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, underscoring the economic benefits of EV ownership despite recent policy changes. The research emphasizes that EVs, often parked for extended periods, can serve as mobile energy storage units, helping to decarbonize the electric grid by storing and supplying electricity during optimal times. However, the technology is still in early stages in the U.S., lacking plug-and-play ease of use.