As we see more and more electric vehicles on the roads, there’s a lesser-known but increasingly popular functionality that EV buyers should consider: bidirectional charging. This capability allows an EV to act as a battery, powering your home, appliances and more.
As of 2025, bidirectional charging is available with an increasing number of cars, including the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Nissan Leaf. Its popularity is growing: In August, GM announced that the technology will come standard in all its electric vehicles by model year 2026.
Here’s what you need to know about bidirectional charging, including how it works, which cars have it, and whether it’s the next big thing in energy storage.
For more, check out the best EVs on the road today and find out where you can charge your EV for free.
What is bidirectional charging?
Typically, EV charging is a one-way process: Alternating current electricity — the kind that comes from a wall socket — is sent from an EV charger, outlet or other power source to a car’s battery, where it’s converted into direct current energy.
Bidirectional charging allows the vehicle to convert stored DC energy back into AC electricity for a variety of uses.
How can I use bidirectional charging?
Depending on the setup, the power stored in the battery can be used in different ways:
Vehicle to home: V2H, also known as vehicle to building (V2B),this functionality allows your car to serve as a backup generator during a power outage. A fully charged EV battery holds about 60 kilowatt-hours of electricity on average, enough to power a home for two days.
With smart-charging technology, you could also use V2H tech to lower your energy bill by charging your EV during off-peak hours and powering your home when prices are higher.
Vehicle to grid: A vehicle with V2G charging capability can send electricity back to the utility network, just like homeowners with solar power can do. Not only are you helping stabilize the grid, but you also get paid for the energy you provide.
An EV owner with a V2G charger could save up to $150 per year on their electricity bill, according to data from the University of Rochester.
Vehicle to load: V2L is the most basic type of bidirectional charging. Typically, an adapter is all you need for your car to power camping equipment, power tools, home appliances or other standalone devices.
Vehicle to vehicle: Another form of V2L, V2V allows EV owners to provide power to an EV that’s run out — similar to giving a “jump” to a gas-powered automobile.
Vehicle to everything: V2X is an umbrella term that encompasses all bidirectional charging options.
Which EVs offer bidirectional charging?
As of 2025, only certain EVs sold in the US offer any form of bidirectional charging, though more are expected to be on the road in 2026. They will include:
- Ford F-150 Lightning (V2G)
- Cadillac Lyriq
- Cadillac Escalade
- Cadillac Optiq
- Chevrolet Silverado EV RST
- Chevrolet Blazer EV
- Chevrolet Equinox EV
- GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1
- Genesis GV60 (V2L)
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 (V2L)
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 (V2L)
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Kia EV6 (V2L)
- Kia EV9
- Kia Soul EV
- Kia Niro (V2L)
- Lucid Air
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (V2L)
- Nissan Leaf (V2H, V2G)
- Volkswagon ID.4 (V2H)
- Volvo Polestar 3 (V2G)
- Volvo Polestar 4
- Tesla Cybertruck (V2L)
When will bidirectional charging become standard?
While bidirectional functionality is by no means universal, automakers are swiftly adding it to their lineups to meet demand and potentially get ahead of regulators.
BMW, Volvo and Porsche are all reportedly testing functionality. Tesla has said all of its models will support bidirectionality by 2025.
General Motors started making V2H charging a default feature in 2024, starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST. The GM rollout continued with the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq and the 2025 Escalade IQ, Cadillac’s first full-size all-electric SUV. In 2026 and beyond, we’re expecting the GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, Cadillac Lyriq, Cadillac Escalade IQ, Cadillac Optiq and more.
Ram also launched its first vehicle with bidirectional charging in 2024, with the Ram 1500 REV electric truck now expected to launch in 2026.
Making bidirectionality standard “will help accelerate GM’s vision of an all-electric future,” GM Energy Vice President Wade Sheffer said in a statement.