Can Your EV Power Your Home? A New Standard Says Yes

A new national charging standard is turning EVs into energy hubs ready to power homes and the grid

28 Feb 2025

A new US standard for bidirectional electric vehicle charging could accelerate the use of cars as backup power sources for homes and local energy grids.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) this week introduced a unified framework for “vehicle-to-grid” (V2G) and “vehicle-to-home” (V2H) technology, allowing EVs to discharge electricity as well as store it. The standard ends years of fragmented approaches and competing systems that have slowed commercial rollout.

Automakers and utilities have already begun to test the concept. Toyota has partnered with San Diego Gas & Electric on a pilot programme using its all-electric bZ4X model as a grid-connected energy source. Such real-world trials are intended to show how parked vehicles can support power networks during demand peaks or supply homes during blackouts.

“This standard is a turning point,” said one utility executive involved in early-stage projects. “It makes EVs as vital to our energy future as they are to our roads.”

Analysts say the move could reshape electricity markets by adding millions of potential microstorage units to national energy systems. The technology may also allow households to sell power back to utilities or lower bills by using stored energy during high-tariff periods.

However, not all carmakers have committed to the NEMA framework, and questions remain about its impact on battery longevity. Industry executives have said that data from pilot schemes will be key to determining how much regular bidirectional use shortens battery life.

Despite the uncertainties, momentum is building. US policymakers have linked broader EV adoption to national energy resilience goals, while utilities view distributed storage as a low-cost buffer against grid instability.

With the new standard now in place, industry observers expect a wave of new products and partnerships within the next two years. If successful, the shift could mean that the electric vehicles parked in driveways across America will soon do more than wait for their next trip; they will help power the grid itself.