The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s V2X Pilot Program will cover the full cost of a dcbel Ara Home Energy Station, including installation, for eligible Massachusetts homeowners who apply by September 30, 2026. dcbel announced its participation this week alongside partners TMH, Resource Innovations and B2Q. The Montreal-based company is taking part in the state’s V2X Demonstration Program, which is designed to explore how electric vehicles can serve as grid resources rather than as loads alone. Applications remain open until the September deadline or until program funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
Highlights
- MassCEC’s V2X Pilot Program fully subsidizes the dcbel Ara Home Energy Station and its installation for participating Massachusetts homeowners.
- Applicants must own or lease a Nissan Leaf (2018–2025), a 2025 Polestar 3 or a 2025 Volvo EX90, and must not already have solar or storage installed.
- dcbel says Ara can save homeowners up to $1,300 per year through off-peak charging, peak-price home supply and sales of excess energy.
- The company says a connected EV can keep a home powered for up to 10 days during a blackout.
What the Program Covers
The pilot subsidizes the Ara Home Energy Station outright, hardware and installation included. Participants can then use an eligible bidirectional EV to power the home when energy rates rise and when blackouts strike, while contributing to grid resilience across the state.
Which Vehicles Qualify for the MassCEC V2X Program?
Eligibility is narrow and tied to bidirectional capability. Massachusetts homeowners can apply if they own or lease one of the following:
- Nissan Leaf — model years 2018 through 2025
- Polestar 3 — 2025 model year
- Volvo EX90 — 2025 model year
Applicants must also have no solar or storage already installed at the property.
How Ara Uses the EV Battery
dcbel describes Ara as a smart energy station built to reduce a household’s reliance on the grid. When paired with a bidirectional EV, the company says the unit delivers up to $1,300 in annual savings by charging during off-peak hours and by treating the vehicle as an everyday energy source — powering the home when utility prices peak and selling surplus energy back. During outages, dcbel says the EV battery can keep the lights on for up to 10 days.
Homeowners who later add dcbel’s solar and home battery hardware through a local installer gain up to 30% more efficiency than running multiple separate products, according to the company.
“V2X is often discussed as a grid technology, but for homeowners, its real power begins at home,” said Duc Duy Tran, Sales Lead at dcbel. “Ara helps transform a bidirectional EV from a vehicle into a central part of the home’s energy mix, giving families a smarter way to manage power, prepare for outages, and increase their energy independence.”
What MassCEC Wants to Learn
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center will collect real-world data on system performance, environmental and financial impact, and user behavior, using the results to shape future V2X initiatives statewide. Participating homeowners will be able to select from various vehicle-to-grid programs, with Ara managing their enrollment to earn rewards.
