Working with Fermata Energy, a vehicle to grid services provider, Nissan’s US unit has approved the first bi-directional charger for use with the Leaf EV.
With its UL 9741 certification for bi-directional charging systems, the Fermata Energy FE-15 charger has passed the automaker’s key requirements and has been verified compatible with the Leaf. Usage of the approved charger will also not impact the EV battery warranty.
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Bi-directional charging technology charges the car and also sends energy stored in the vehicle battery back to the building or grid.
Nissan claims the Leaf is currently the only fully electric passenger vehicle in the US market able to supply energy to the grid, allowing owners with the bi-directional charger to park their vehicle, plug it in, and save money with their local electric utility as well as reduce the total cost of ownership of the vehicle.
Said to be ideal for companies with fleet vehicles, the Fermata Energy Demand Charge Management application, along with the charger, continuously monitors a building’s electrical loads, and may draw on the EV’s energy to provide power to the building during more expensive high demand periods.
In US states with utility demand response programmes, bi-directional-enabled vehicles are able to safely send energy stored in the battery to the grid during peak energy demand times, such as in summer months.
