@Randy
Good points about cycles! Manufacturers often ‘cheat’ a bit by keeping the battery range between 20-80% to slow degradation. That means we’re not actually using a full cycle each time. But as the battery degrades, more of the range gets unlocked, so the capacity drop accelerates. A high cycle claim can sometimes be a bit of a software illusion.
@abidemi
Interesting take! It’s true that battery cycles can be complex, and some of the numbers can be optimistic. But still, many EVs have proven their longevity with their original battery packs over thousands of cycles. Maybe we’re somewhere in between?
@Randy
For me, the difference between peak and off-peak is around 10 cents per kWh. Not really worth the extra battery wear for such a small gain.
Robert said:
@Randy
For me, the difference between peak and off-peak is around 10 cents per kWh. Not really worth the extra battery wear for such a small gain.
Makes sense! I guess it would be most useful for those with high rate differences or who need an emergency backup.
@abidemi
I get monthly payments from my utility for letting them cycle my home storage battery, so there are definitely programs that make it worthwhile.
@abidemi
That’s where LFP batteries come in!
With home battery setups getting cheaper, I don’t see bidirectional charging becoming essential. It mostly benefits homeowners with solar panels. A dedicated battery is much simpler for them, always there to soak up extra power and handle outages even if the car’s away. EV batteries are optimized for different conditions compared to home batteries, so having a separate storage setup just makes more sense in most cases.
@chozen
Great explanation! Car batteries are also built to withstand impact, which adds to the cost. For stationary use, like a home battery, these factors don’t matter, so the design and cost can be quite different.
@chozen
You’re missing the bigger picture—imagine an entire grid of connected car batteries! You already have the car sitting outside, might as well get some value from it.
@chozen
Homeownership in the US is around 66%, so it’s actually a large chunk of the market. Also, adding large home batteries can be subject to building codes and take up a lot of space, especially for something around 100kWh. I think a home setup supplemented by an EV could be ideal, especially in winter.
@chozen
Turnkey options like Tesla Powerwall are still more expensive per kWh than an EV, even with LFP batteries lasting over 600,000 miles. I think V2G hardware costs wouldn’t be huge since the car already has enough cycles.
@chozen
Bi-directional charging could actually be affordable—some options cost less than $500 per vehicle. Hyundai and GM have methods that use the charge port for power. For emergency power, like during an outage, having an EV battery backup could be extremely useful.
@olivia
Not everywhere has power issues. In the US, outages are more common due to the aging grid, but it’s not an issue globally, except in places with frequent natural disasters like Japan.
@chozen
$500 per kWh? You can find cells closer to $100 now.
kwame said:
@chozen
$500 per kWh? You can find cells closer to $100 now.
You’re right, but that’s just the cells. A full system includes installation, a BMS, and other parts. You’d need a lot of DIY skills to put it all together at that cost.
@chozen
True, though DIY setups have become more affordable and the parts are widely available. Battery and solar systems have definitely come down in price.
Bidirectional charging seems pointless to me. I can store solar power at home, but on the road it doesn’t help much. My grid is stable, so I don’t see the need for extra costs and parts.
V2X tech could help with managing the duck curve, but the utilities are slow to adapt. They’re usually cautious about big changes.
Michael said:
V2X tech could help with managing the duck curve, but the utilities are slow to adapt. They’re usually cautious about big changes.
You don’t actually need V2X to manage the duck curve. Just provide workplace charging when prices are low to balance out the load instead of charging in the evening.
@chozen
But leveling the duck curve isn’t just about shifting EV charging—it’s also about using stored energy to offset demand peaks.