What Is Bidirectional Charging? Is It the Next Big Thing for EV Owners in India? 

India adds thousands of electric vehicles to its roads every single day, yet most of their batteries remain underutilized. An average EV spends over 22 hours a day parked, capable of storing energy but legally and technically allowed to do just one thing: charge and wait.  
 
Bidirectional charging challenges this one-way relationship by allowing electricity to flow out of the car, turning EVs into backup power sources, cost-saving tools, and even grid-level assets. 

This blog explores three key dimensions of bidirectional charging: 

• What bidirectional charging is and how it works 

• Benefits for EV owners in India 

• Bidirectional charging in India today and what to expect next

The Fundamentals of Bidirectional Charging 

Think of your EV battery as a giant portable power bank. Normally you charge it by drawing electricity from the grid. Bidirectional charging means you can also push electricity back out. In other words, the EV battery can both store and release power, depending on need. This works in three main ways: 

• Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): Your EV can send power back to the electricity grid. During peak demand, your car’s battery can help stabilize supply. 

• Vehicle-to-Home (V2H): Your EV can power your home or appliances. In a blackout or during expensive peak hours, you can keep essentials running by drawing from the car’s battery, like having a mini backup generator. 

• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L): Your EV acts as a mobile power source for devices. You can plug in power tools, camping equipment, or even charge another EV. 

All these modes rely on a bidirectional charger, a special inverter that turns the car’s DC battery power into usable AC power. As one source explains, bidirectional charging “allows an electric vehicle to both draw power from the grid and feed stored energy back into it”. In short, your EV becomes a two-way energy hub. 

How Bidirectional Charging Works: Simple Analogy and Examples 

Imagine your EV battery as a water tank. Normal charging is like filling the tank from a pipe (the grid). Bidirectional charging adds a second pipe: the car can pour water back into the system. When your tank is full, you could release water to run your home’s faucet or even the neighborhood’s reservoir when needed. 

• For V2G, think of feeding a shared reservoir. If many EVs pour out water at peak times, the reservoir (grid) stays balanced. 

• For V2H, it’s like using that tank to water your own plants at home during a drought. Your house appliances (lights, fridge, fan) keep running off the tank. 

• For V2L, picture carrying a portable pump to a campsite or workshop. You can run a lamp, charge your phone, or even plug your electric drill into the car. In fact, some cars can use their charging port to deliver AC power outward, just like a giant power bank. 

This flexibility is possible because modern EVs have built-in inverters. The same hardware that charges the car can also power household appliances or external devices. In short, bidirectional charging turns the car into a mobile battery pack that can meet energy needs wherever you are. 

Real-World EV Examples (Global and Indian) 

Not every EV today supports bidirectional charging. The car’s battery management and onboard charger must allow two-way flow. However, several models already offer it: 

• Global models: The Nissan Leaf (using the CHAdeMO connector) was one of the first mass-market EVs with V2G/V2H capability. Hyundai and Kia’s latest EVs (like the Ioniq 5 and EV6) support V2L power outputs around 3.6–3.7 kW (enough to run a small fridge or coffee maker). Ford’s electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck can deliver up to 9.6 kW back to a home; Ford notes that the Lightning “doesn’t just receive power when you charge; it can also deliver energy right back to your home”. In fact, Ford offers a “Home Power Management” system that automatically charges the truck off-peak and discharges during expensive peak hours. 

• Indian models: Tata Motors is leading here. It’s new “Gen-2” EVs, including the refreshed Nexon.ev Long Range and upcoming Punch.ev and Curvv models, come factory-equipped for bidirectional use. According to Tata, these vehicles explicitly list V2L and even V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) charging as features. In practice, this means your Tata Nexon.ev or Punch.ev can power a home appliance or charge another EV.  

• Other markets: Cars like the Mercedes EQS, Honda e, and upcoming Rivian R1T also support home or on-site power. Even EV buses and trucks in China (e.g. Amp and Foton) are being developed with two-way chargers.  

Why Bidirectional Charging Matters for EV Owners in India 

For EV owners in India, bidirectional charging could be a game-changer. Here’s why: 

• Backup power during outages: India still faces grid outages in many areas. With V2H/V2L, an EV can keep the lights, fan, or even a fridge running when the mains go down. In India, this could mean avoiding the hassle of gas generators or running a few solar lamps off your car during a power cut. 

• Lower electricity bills: Many states now have time-of-day (ToD) tariffs for EV charging. For example, in Kerala, the electricity regulator gives 30% cheaper rates during the day (9 AM–4 PM) and charges 30% extra in the evenings. With bidirectional charging, you could charge your EV during the cheap daytime rates (or with solar panels) and use the stored energy at night to run your home. In Kerala, one could charge at ₹4/unit midday and avoid paying ₹7/unit in the evening (hypothetically), effectively shaving costs. This time-shifting can add up to significant savings on your electricity bill. 

• Earn money or credits: In some pilots, utilities have offered incentives to EV owners who feed power back. Kerala’s recent V2G pilot rewards EVs that soak up cheap solar energy by day and discharge to the grid at peak times. More broadly, experts note that properly designed V2G tariffs (like net-metering for EVs) could let owners earn or save more than they pay for charging. While India doesn’t yet have a nationwide program, the idea is that over time, EV owners might see direct payments or bill credits for allowing their car batteries to support the grid. 

• Greener charging and renewables integration: EV batteries can store surplus solar or wind power. This maximizes renewable energy use and reduces reliance on coal-generated peak power. Kerala’s program even tracks “green” charging via blockchain certificates so drivers can be sure they are using clean power. 

• Other handy uses: V2L opens up practical scenarios, powering a food cart’s freezer, tools at a remote site, or camping equipment. Tata Motors explicitly cites camping and peer-to-peer charging as benefits of V2L/V2V. 

In short, bidirectional charging can turn the EV into an energy asset, a backup supply and mini generator rather than just an energy sink.  

Bidirectional Charging in India Today: Progress and Hurdles 

India is just starting to tap this potential. Technically, the necessary pieces are emerging: some chargers (from companies like Watt & Well or Nuvve) support two-way flow, and a few EVs (like Tata’s new models) have the onboard hardware.  

The India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) led a landmark pilot in 2024–25, retrofitting four Tata Nexon EVs with bidirectional chargers and “demonstrating their ability to export electricity back to the grid”. This pilot used AC bidirectional charging, which could be more affordable and scalable for India. 

On the regulatory side, the government is paying attention. In March 2023, the Ministry of Power directed the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to formulate guidelines for “reverse charging” from EVs. State regulators are also experimenting: as mentioned, Kerala is piloting V2G and updating EV charging tariffs to encourage solar-time charging. 

However, several challenges remain. Most of India’s public charging stations and EVs today support only one-way charging. Bidirectional chargers are still rare and costly. Standards like ISO 15118 (for smart EV-EVSE communication) and clear utility interconnection rules are under development. Experts caution that grid protocols and tariff regulations will need updating before bidirectional charging can scale in India. Battery life and safety must also be managed by smart software (manufacturers like Tata have built-in safeguards for V2X use). 

Despite the hurdles, momentum is building. DISCOMs and policymakers see how bidirectional charging could lower peak power costs and absorb solar power. For EV owners, it offers tangible perks. In Kerala’s vision, a Nexon EV isn’t just a car anymore, it’s a distributed power plant on wheels. As one industry report notes, EV fleets can become “vast electricity storage capacity” and provide flexibility to a renewable-heavy grid. 

The Road Ahead 

So, is bidirectional charging the next big thing for EV owners in India? It certainly has the potential. The technology is proven, and a few EV models already include it. For Indian drivers, it promises backup power, lower bills, and even income.  

However, widespread roll-out depends on clearer policies, affordable equipment, and awareness. As experts put it, turning EVs into reliable energy sources will require “updated grid protocols, clear tariff regulations, and supportive policies”. 

For now, EV buyers should consider whether their model supports V2L/V2H, or if aftermarket solutions will be available. Keep an eye on pilot programs and state policies in 2025–26. As the momentum grows, you EV could do much more than just drive. It could power your home, save you money, and even help balance India’s green grid. Bidirectional charging could be a game-changer for the EV revolution, and Indian owners are just starting to tap into that promise.