EV CHARGERS

Earning Over $1,000 Annually with the Wallbox Quasar 2 EV Charger and Bidirectional Energy’s California Grant

March 31, 2024

Wallbox and Bidirectional Energy are collaborating with a $2.2M grant from the California Energy Commission to install the Quasar 2 bidirectional EV charger in 120 California homes.
Quasar 2 chargers can charge EVs, power homes (V2H), or send energy back to the grid (V2G).
Users can earn over $1,000 annually with Quasar 2 chargers by leveraging time-of-use rates and utility programs.

Backed by a $2.2M grant from the California Energy Commission, Wallbox, a leading global EV charging solutions provider, and Bidirectional Energy, known for pioneering bidirectional EV energy management, have teamed up to deploy the Quasar 2 bidirectional charger. Designed to address key challenges such as range anxiety and grid stability, the Quasar 2 offers versatility, allowing users to not only charge their EVs but also power their homes during outages or contribute energy back to the grid. With the potential to earn over $1,000 annually through innovative utility programs, Quasar 2 chargers pave the way for a sustainable and financially rewarding EV experience in California and beyond.

Under Phase 1 of the Bidirectional Residential V2X Demonstration Project, Wallbox’s bidirectional charger, the Quasar 2, will be deployed in 120 residential locations across California. Managed by Bidirectional Energy’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) platform, these chargers offer more than just efficient EV charging. They also provide home energy backup, utility bill reduction, and additional financial rewards for users.

According to Erik Folgeberg, General Manager of Wallbox North America, “Bidirectional charging can offer long-term benefits to all users, grid operators, and utilities and will accelerate the transition to California renewable energy sources.”

Earn $1,000 Annually with Wallbox Quasar 2 EV Charger Bidirectional Energy California Energy Commission Grant

Angela Zhang, CEO of Bidirectional Energy, highlights the critical role bidirectional EVs play in addressing scalability challenges facing the US electric grid: “Together, we’ll leverage EVs to make our power grid more reliable and reduce total carbon emissions on the grid.”

The centerpiece of this collaboration, the Quasar 2, is a next-generation 11.5kW bidirectional charger capable of not only charging an electric vehicle but also discharging energy to power a home (V2H) or send energy back to the grid (V2G). This technology positions EVs as distributed batteries, offering a potential solution to ran g e anxiety while contributing to grid stability and resilience.

“Quasar 2’s cutting edge innovation extends to its Power Recovery feature, allowing users to transform their EV into a powerful generator in the event of a power outage or blackout,” stated Wallbox.

Wallbox’s commitment to compatibility and safety is evident in Quasar 2’s adherence to ISO 15118-20 standards and its ongoing certification process for UL 1741 SB and UL 9741 at Underwriter Laboratories.

Bidirectional charging offers environmental and economic advantages beyond individual users. By using time-of-use utility rates and joining utility Demand Response programs, users can earn over $1,000 annually. This also helps enhance grid reliability and integrate renewable energy.

Patty Monahan, CEC’s Lead Commissioner for Transportation, commends the initiative, stating, “Vehicle-to-grid innovations can play a critical role in helping California reach its clean energy goals, while also reducing emissions from transportation.”

COIL, a Wallbox company specializing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure installation, will lead the installation of bidirectional chargers in EV-friendly metro areas like the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego.