[zanc]

Elsewhere I read that V2G will not become standard until 2025

CharIN: CCS Combo Standard To Offer V2G By 2025

CharIN e.V. has released the roadmap for grid integration (V2H, V2G) of charging systems based on the Combined Charging System (CCS).

insideevs.com

Does anyone know if manufacturers will be able to retrofit V2G capability through software upgrades to support the new protocols, or is it likely to require additional hardware to support V2G functionality.

 

[mikeselectricstuff]

Technically it is almost certain that most cars could support V2G via a software update, as it's just an extension of the communications protocol - the actual power hardware is just the contactor to connect the charge port to the battery, which it already does for charging. It's possible there might be some cases where, for example the hardware can't measure the current flow out of the battery to the charge port. There might also be some safety approvals & testing costs.
However there is little incentive for them to do any sort of retrofit so I can't see it happenning for any existing cars.
A lot of the software and hardware involved will have been bought in from subassembly manufacturers, so any upgrades would likely cost the manufacturer to deploy, both in licensing, and any integration work.

 

[mikegs]

Technically it is almost certain that most cars could support V2G via a software update

Where would the 50/60Hz inverter be in this? In the shore box?

 

[dk6780]

It could of course be either side, but 7 kW from the majority of cars seems quite a low limit if it is onboard.

 

[mikeselectricstuff]

The inverter would have to be outboard, it would make no sense having it on the car for many reasons.

 

[mikegs]

The inverter would have to be outboard, it would make no sense having it on the car for many reasons.

So for a 'software update' it will only work if connected to a suitable public point. At home you'd have to buy an expensive 'thing' to go with it.

 

[mikeselectricstuff]

Why would you want V2G at a public point? It only makes sense if cars are available for long periods of time, in a way that doesn't significantly impact normal usage.
Although it could certainly make sense in situations like fleets in a depot, I'm not convinced how viable it would be for home usage in the forseeable future, especially if we're not going to even see compatible CCS cars for 5 years.
And how the hell does it take 5 years to define a software standard anyway? This is hardly rocket science! CCS seems to be a complete mess from start to finish.

 

[Tandy0]

Just realised I wrote nonsense.

 

[mikegs]

Why would you want V2G at a public point? It only makes sense if cars are available for long periods of time, in a way that doesn't significantly impact normal usage.

A commuter car parked at work or the station for 8 hours or more seems to fit that bill.

 

[mikegs]

Just realised I wrote nonsense.

We've always been too polite to tell you

 

[ringi]

The inverter would have to be outboard, it would make no sense having it on the car for many reasons

Having a 13amp plug (and idealy 110 volt) on cars/vans would be great for many people. A very clever design may be able to reuse the inverter that is used for the car's moter.

 

[zanc]

Technically it is almost certain that most cars could support V2G via a software update, as it's just an extension of the communications protocol - the actual power hardware is just the contactor to connect the charge port to the battery, which it already does for charging. It's possible there might be some cases where, for example the hardware can't measure the current flow out of the battery to the charge port. There might also be some safety approvals & testing costs.
However there is little incentive for them to do any sort of retrofit so I can't see it happenning for any existing cars.
A lot of the software and hardware involved will have been bought in from subassembly manufacturers, so any upgrades would likely cost the manufacturer to deploy, both in licensing, and any integration work.

These are my thoughts as well. I was intending to buy my first EV this year to integrate with newly installed PV panels. I had looked at the Leaf as CHAdeMO already supports V2G protocols. However, the Leaf's passive battery cooling has put me off big time. Great as a commuting car, but problematic for a single car household wanting a vehicle for touring. Being retired with limited funds, this may be the last car I buy (I tend keep my cars until they fall apart). I believe that V2G could provide massive environmental benefits and I would not like to miss out on being able to contribute to this.