Rep. Brownley-led bill proposes bidirectional charging plan for EVs

U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) on Nov. 2 sponsored legislation that would require the U.S. Secretary of Energy to develop a charging plan for promoting bidirectional capabilities for electric vehicles (EVs) and buses, a technology that allows vehicle owners to send power back to their homes, businesses, or the electric grid.

“As the effects of the climate crisis become more evident, from increasing the intensity of wildfires to more intense storms, preparation and adaptation for these events are critical,” said Brownley, who introduced the Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging Act of 2023, H.R. 6178, alongside original cosponsors U.S. Reps. Jill Tokuda (D-HI) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO).

If enacted, the National Electric Vehicle Bidirectional Charging Roadmap required under H.R. 6178 would include a timeline and strategy for increasing the development and use of bidirectional charging, according to the text of the bill. 

The roadmap also would include a list of strategies and obstacles to increasing the development and use of bidirectional charging; key actions for Congress to consider taking with respect to bidirectional charging matters; and cost estimates for increasing the development and use of bidirectional charging.

“The emerging technology of bidirectional charging allows EV owners to send power back into their homes during a blackout or even back to a utility network during peak hours,” Brownley said. “This ability effectively allows EVs to operate as a mini power plant on wheels by helping to maintain access to power during natural disasters and emergencies.”

The congresswoman added that bidirectional charging also enables electric buses to be plugged into schools, hospitals, or other emergency operations centers during power outages and emergencies. 

Bidirectional EVs also may be used as mobile battery storage, and they can receive energy from EV supply equipment (EVSE) and provide energy to an external load when it is paired with a similarly capable EVSE. And they can provide backup power to buildings or specific sites, sometimes as part of a microgrid, through vehicle to building (V2B) charging, or provide power to the grid through vehicle to grid (V2G) charging.

“Given the multiple benefits of bidirectional charging, my bill ensures this smart technology and its capabilities become more widely available throughout the United States,” she said.

Specifically, H.R. 6178 would direct the U.S. Department of Energy to develop the National Electric Vehicle Bidirectional Charging Roadmap and to establish technical standards for manufacturers of EVs to standardize bidirectional charging technology, according to a bill summary provided by Brownley’s staff.

Additionally, the measure would require that all new EVs manufactured beginning in 2027 be capable of bidirectional charging, and would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue regulations requiring hazard mitigation plans submitted by states or local governments to incorporate bidirectional charging capabilities, the summary says.

H.R. 6178 has garnered support from California State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), who authored the original bidirectional EV charging bill (SB 233) in the California Legislature, and The Climate Center, a climate and energy policy nonprofit.

“With the Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging Act, all EV owners will have a green alternative to avoid air-polluting, diesel-fueled backup generators,” said Skinner. “With federal leadership like this bill, we can build more resilient grids for communities throughout the United States and a more versatile EV marketplace.”

Ellie Cohen, CEO of The Climate Center, also pointed out that EVs can help keep the power on wherever they’re needed most.

“As we prepare for increasingly severe climate extremes, we should look to the batteries in our electric cars, trucks, and buses to avoid blackouts, not polluting fossil fuel power plants and diesel generators,” Cohen said. “The Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging Act will help keep the lights on, clean the air, and advance climate justice, all while lowering energy prices for consumers.”

The bill has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.