Bi-directional loading is a technology that can empower your world. Bi-directional charging, which allows power to flow through one port both inside and outside the vehicle, is an innovation the industry is talking about. Hyundai Motor is one of the technology leaders in this field.
Hyundai has brought two-way charging to the market with its new generation of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). For the first time in a commercially available electric car, the company has introduced the innovative Vehicle to Charge (V2L) function, which was presented at the launch of the award-winning IONIQ 5 in 2021. V2L technology has redefined the e-mobility lifestyle in many ways, allowing customers to freely power or charge any electrical device, effectively using the vehicle as a power bank on wheels.
This was made possible by the advanced electric module platform E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) and its bi-directional charging capability. Unlike previous BEVs, which could only be charged in one direction, the E-GMP charging system offers more flexibility. The platform’s new Integrated Charge Control Unit (ICCU) represents an improvement over existing onboard chargers, which normally only allow current flow from an external power source in one direction.
When launched in Fall of 2023, the new Kona Electric, whose universal EV-derived architecture will also feature two-way charging, will underline the technology as Hyundai’s latest EV lifestyle feature. Although not based on E-GMP but similar to IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, the devices can be plugged into a standard car socket with the power on. Outdoor devices can be connected via a V2L adapter to use battery power when the car is parked.
In the last two years, Hyundai has also advanced Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, another innovation based on bi-directional charging. This technology makes it possible to feed the energy stored in the BEV batteries into the power grid.
In addition to balancing the grid, energy stored in BEVs can be fed back into the grid to meet power demand during peak periods and emergencies. As countries diversify their energy mix to include more renewable energy sources, V2G technology can help manage the impact of climate change and will be a technology that will be gradually integrated into Hyundai models.
