Wallbox, a dominant figure in the electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management landscape, has unveiled its collaboration with Kia America. The objective is to provide Kia’s EV9 customers with the Quasar 2, Wallbox’s second-generation DC bidirectional charger, starting from the first half of 2024. It is anticipated that Quasar 2 will be the premier EV charger to support bidirectional charging with the Kia EV9.
Why It Matters
Bidirectional charging, such as the capability in the Quasar 2, is transformative. It grants EV owners the power not only to charge their vehicles but also to either discharge their EVs to energize their homes (V2H) or revert energy to the grid (V2G). Remarkably, a Kia EV9 can store energy sufficient to fuel an average household for up to four days, making the purchase of high-priced home energy storage systems redundant.
Furthermore, in scenarios of power disruptions, Quasar 2’s innovative Power Recovery Mode autonomously transitions the user’s power supply from the grid to their vehicle. This ensures homeowners can rely on their EV battery as an emergency power source. Considering the recurrent and prolonged power disruptions in the U.S., such a feature is not merely a luxury but a necessity.
Key Points
- The Quasar 2 Charger: A pioneering 11.5kW bidirectional charger.
- Vehicle Energy Capacity: A Kia EV9 has an energy capacity ranging from 76 to 100kWh, more than quintuple the energy in a standard 13.5kWh home storage unit.
- Emergency Power Backup: In the face of power cuts, Quasar 2 seamlessly makes the switch to use the vehicle’s battery.
- Significant Savings: Wallbox suggests that coupling Quasar 2 with utility Demand Response programs and time-of-use utility tariffs could save users in excess of $1,000 annually.
- Beneficial for Solar Panel Users: Owners with solar panels can store surplus solar energy in their EV during times of low usage and then deploy this energy during peak periods, mitigating grid dependence.
Bottom Line
Enric Asunción, CEO and co-founder of Wallbox, expressed enthusiasm about the Wallbox-Kia America alliance, highlighting its potential to reshape energy utilization. He emphasized the potential advantages of bidirectional charging for users, grid operators, utilities, and the broader shift towards renewable energy sources. Paired with an EV like Kia’s EV9, which supports bidirectional charging, Quasar 2 emerges as a highly effective and economical solution for home energy management.
