Powerbank on Wheels: Bidirectional Charging Demonstrated in Electric Trucks

Why It Matters

Bidirectional charging turns electric trucks into mobile power banks, creating new revenue streams for fleets while bolstering grid stability. This dual‑use capability improves the economics of heavy‑duty electrification and speeds the broader energy transition.

Key Takeaways

• MAN eTGX demonstrated 325 kW V2G feed into grid.
• Bidirectional charging could cut truck electricity costs by 10‑20%.
• V2S/V2V enables trucks to power sites, reducing peak demand.
• SPIRIT‑E aims to accelerate heavy‑duty electrification over three years.

Pulse Analysis

Bidirectional charging, often termed vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G), has moved from concept to field trial as the SPIRIT‑E consortium showcased a MAN eTGX feeding 325 kW into the public grid. This milestone reflects a growing global push to harness the large battery capacities of heavy‑duty trucks as flexible storage assets, helping balance intermittent renewable generation and easing peak‑load pressures. While passenger‑car V2G pilots have been limited, commercial trucks offer far greater kilowatt‑hour capacity, making them attractive candidates for grid services.

The Regensburg demonstration highlighted three practical use cases: vehicle‑to‑site (V2S), vehicle‑to‑vehicle (V2V) and V2G. By using the truck’s 480 kWh battery to power a second eTGX or a depot building, operators reported potential electricity‑cost savings of 10‑20%, effectively granting up to 20,000 km of “zero‑cost” mileage for a 100,000 km‑per‑year fleet. Moreover, the ability to discharge during high‑price periods creates a revenue stream that can offset the high upfront cost of electric trucks, a critical factor for fleet adoption.

Looking ahead, the three‑year SPIRIT‑E project, backed by federal funding and led by TU Munich, aims to dissolve technical and regulatory barriers that have slowed heavy‑duty electrification. As grid operators increasingly value ancillary services, trucks equipped for bidirectional operation could become integral to cross‑sector energy markets. Policymakers may soon incentivize such capabilities, while logistics firms will weigh the trade‑off between vehicle uptime and grid‑service participation, shaping the next wave of sustainable freight transport.