Wallbox, a leading EV charging technology company, has announced the expansion of its bidirectional EV charger program across the United States. Following a successful residential pilot in California featuring six Quasar 2 bidirectional chargers, the company is scaling the initiative to 180 homes in California and Connecticut, in partnership with Bidirectional Energy.
The program allows Kia EV9 owners to use Wallbox’s Quasar 2 bidirectional charger along with Bidirectional Energy’s virtual power plant (VPP) platform. This enables EVs not only to charge efficiently but also to power homes during outages and send energy back to the grid, supporting both homeowners and broader energy resilience efforts.
The Quasar 2 charger is a 12.48-kilowatt bidirectional unit with multiple capabilities. It supports Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), powering homes during outages like a backup generator. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality allows owners to feed energy back to the grid during peak demand and earn incentives. Paired with Wallbox’s Power Recovery Unit, it can provide several days of backup power, while the Wallbox app enables users to set charging preferences, track energy use, and monitor potential earnings.
To join the program, homeowners must own or lease a Kia EV9, live in a single-family or small multi-family home (four units or fewer), and be customers of participating utilities in California or Connecticut. Participants also agree to share charging data and enroll in time-of-use or demand response programs. Priority enrollment is being offered to underserved communities to ensure equitable access. Applications can be submitted through Bidirectional Energy’s website, with installation, rebates, and utility connections managed by the program.
Douglas Alfaro, Chief Business Development Officer at Wallbox, said, “Bidirectional charging holds the potential to transform how people use and manage energy at home. By partnering with Bidirectional Energy, we’re empowering EV owners to turn their vehicles into energy assets, earning money while supporting a more resilient grid.”
This program highlights Wallbox’s efforts to integrate EVs into the energy ecosystem. Homeowners can benefit from cost savings, reliable backup power, and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, while advancing the adoption of smart energy management technologies across the U.S.
