Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan will launch services for the sale of electricity from electric vehicles to the network
Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan plan to launch car-grid services starting around 2030, which will allow electric vehicle owners in Japan to sell excess battery energy back to the grid and potentially reduce car maintenance costs, according to Nikkei.
By March, Mitsubishi had completed a demonstration project with about twelve electric vehicles in and around Tokyo, allowing users to remotely control charging and discharging through a dedicated system, and payment was made according to market electricity prices. Since prices fluctuate dramatically throughout the day, a Mitsubishi eK X electric car with a 20 kWh battery could theoretically generate significant monthly income if discharged at peak rates. The company already offers low-load charging scheduling and aims to add discharge functions to the network by 2030, using this service to support sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles while generating revenue from vehicle data. Nissan is preparing a similar service for electric vehicles and home batteries, which will be supported by a low-cost bidirectional charger, which is scheduled for release in 2028.
Toyota and Honda are also gaining momentum, while Tesla is already offering battery power connection services in Texas and California. However, Japan still lacks clear rules for connecting electric vehicles to the grid, and concerns remain about battery wear and a faster depreciation of electric vehicles. Analysts expect that enterprises will be the first to use this technology, where it is easier to provide for the use of vehicles.