Image Credit: Wallbox
Owners of the Kia EV9 SUV in the United States will now be able to use their car to power their homes thanks to a new partnership signed with Spanish EV charger company Wallbox.
Kia announced earlier this month that eligible EV9 owners in the United States may soon be able to begin enjoying vehicle to home (V2H) capabilities, after Wallbox announced pre-order availability of its Quasar 2 home EV charger, the first compatible bi-directional charger to work with the Kia EV9.
Eligible EV9 owners and lessees can now pre-order the Quasar 2, along with the accompanying Power Recovery Unit, on a first-come, first-served, while supplies last basis, by registering to be placed on a waitlist.
“This cutting-edge technology allows eligible EV9 owners and lessees to take control of their energy usage and costs, while also providing backup power during power outages,” said Enric Asunción, CEO of Wallbox.
Combined with the Wallbox Qasar 2 and Power Recovery Unit, the Kia EV9 will be able to server as an energy storage system on wheels, powering a customer’s home during a potential power outage.
Additionally, V2H technology provides greater flexibility over when and how electricity is used, enabling customers to charge from rooftop solar or when grid electricity is cheapest, and feeding energy back into the house during expensive high peak times.
“The EV9 is a high watermark among EV SUVs, offering an impressive blend of amenities, technology, practicality and performance,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP of Kia America.
“And now the package is truly complete with the arrival of V2H capabilities thanks to the team at Wallbox. V2H expands the role of the EV9 to a place beyond mobility.”
The Quasar 2 bi-directional charger offers up to 12 kW of power for EV charging and discharging, and including the Power Recovery Unit, will retail for $US6,440 (excluding taxes and installation fees).
Limited quantities of the Quasar 2 and the Power Recovery Unit are currently available in the United States, and pre-ordering availability will be initially limited to individuals who reside in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Washington, New Jersey, and Illinois, which is expected to be followed by a larger nationwide rollout.
Even though the Kia EV9 is available in Australia and Wallbox has had a local presence for several years, it is as yet uncertain if similar V2H technology will be available locally anytime soon.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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