MAXUS Successfully Tests Bidirectional Charging
and Prepares for Market Launch
- MAXUS has successfully tested bidirectional charging with 3 models
- MAXUS consciously opts for DC standard
- Customer release of bidirectional charging with certified charger in preparation
Kontich, May 15, 2025 – MAXUS, in collaboration with AMBIBOX GmbH, has successfully tested bidirectional charging for its fully electric commercial vehicles: the eDELIVER 5, eDELIVER 7 AWD, and the electric all-wheel-drive pickup eTERRON 9.
What is Bidirectional Charging?
Currently, electric vehicles (EVs) charge in one direction, from the charging station into the vehicle’s battery – known as "unidirectional charging." However, in the future, electric vehicles will not only receive energy but will also be able to return it to a building or the public electricity grid – this is referred to as "bidirectional charging."
Bidirectional charging allows users to actively utilize the energy stored in their vehicle’s battery when the vehicle is parked and connected to a suitable charging solution.
To enable this, both the vehicle and a technically compatible wallbox or charging station are required.
Applications of Bidirectional Charging
There are several use cases for bidirectional charging:
- Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) / Vehicle-to-Building (V2B):
A key application is using the vehicle’s battery to increase the self-consumption rate of a photovoltaic (PV) system. The battery stores excess energy generated by the PV system when production exceeds demand in the home. When the demand exceeds the production from the PV system, the battery supplies power to the home or building. This process is known as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) or Vehicle-to-Building (V2B).
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G):
Another attractive application is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), where the vehicle’s battery is used to regulate the supply and demand of electricity in the local distribution grid. Electric vehicles are charged when electricity demand (and typically, the price) is low, and conversely, they feed power back into the grid when demand and prices are high. This application is particularly useful for large fleets of vehicles, such as those charging at a depot or distribution center.
Standardization of Bidirectional Charging
Currently, bidirectional charging via the widely accepted CCS (Combined Charging System) connectors in Europe is only supported by a limited number of charging stations. AMBIBOX offers a certified, compatible DC charger with a charging capacity of up to 22 kW.
The tested MAXUS vehicles are fully compatible with this system, marking a significant step toward the commercial availability of this technology.
A Step Towards Practical, Sustainable Innovation
MAXUS continues to follow its open-tech sustainability strategy, focusing on practical, customer-centric innovations that bring tangible benefits.
Bidirectional charging presents clear economic advantages for both private and fleet customers.
For private customers with their own PV system, bidirectional charging increases the self-consumption share, allowing them to save money by using energy from their own roof instead of relying on more expensive grid power.
This advantage also applies to fleet operators whose vehicle depot is located near a warehouse or distribution center, where the energy demand can be partially met from the vehicle batteries.
The most economically attractive use case is “smart grid load management” (V2G), where power is fed from vehicle batteries back into the grid, helping to smooth out peak consumption in the public electricity grid. In this case, grid operators may compensate for the energy fed back into the grid under contractual agreements.
This monetization potential can significantly lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by offsetting the cost of charging vehicle batteries through the revenues generated.
Preparing for Market Launch
MAXUS is working intensively on introducing this innovative technology to the European market and plans to offer its customers true added value through intelligent, bidirectional charging solutions in the near future (*).
The goal is to deploy the best technologies where they have the most impact in everyday life – in a sustainable, flexible, and economically beneficial way.
About AMBIBOX
AMBIBOX GmbH specializes in power electronics and has developed a DC modular system of hardware and software components. This includes cost-effective, bidirectional DC wallboxes to support the breakthrough of electromobility. Their vision is to implement a decentralized, highly efficient, and economically sustainable energy supply.
For inquiries, please contact:
Manfred Przybilla
Email: przybilla@ambibox.de
Phone: +49 1520 917 22 83
For more information, visit www.ambibox.de.
Note:
(*) Regulatory conditions for bidirectional charging may vary across EU member states. For information on which countries support V2G today, please visit the respective national MAXUS website.