Drivers Remain Skeptical of Bidirectional Charging

June 17, 2026

Source: E & M powernews

A study shows that awareness of bidirectional charging is on the rise, but drivers’ enthusiasm for the technology remains limited.

Bidirectional charging is considered a promising solution for integrating electric mobility into energy systems. With this technology, vehicles can not only draw electricity from a wallbox but also feed it back into buildings or the grid. Grid operators and energy suppliers hope this will unlock flexibility potential and relieve strain on the grids. Several pilot projects, such as those by Transnet BW, Tennet, E.ON, EWE, and Bayernwerk, are already gathering practical experience.

However, a recent study by the market research firm “USCALE” shows that customer acceptance lags significantly behind the expectations of many market players. For the “Bidirectional Charging Study 2026,” approximately 10,000 people in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Sweden were surveyed.

The results initially reveal a surprisingly high level of awareness of the technology. Among electric car drivers with a private parking space, 38 percent know what bidirectional charging means. Another 34 percent have at least heard of it. Even among drivers of internal combustion engine vehicles, one in five is familiar with the technology.

When it comes down to specifics, many lose interest

At first glance, interest in the topic also appears to be high. More than half of the electric car drivers surveyed can, in principle, imagine using bidirectional charging. However, as soon as concrete investments, potential returns, and practical requirements are weighed against one another, the number of actually attainable customers drops significantly. In the end, only 17 percent of today’s electric car drivers remain—a comparatively small target group—who believe the technology is worth it for them.

Among the most important motivators for exploring bidirectional charging are expected cost savings, an affinity for innovative technology, and environmental considerations. In the Vehicle-to-Home sector, the use of solar power and the sense of greater energy independence also play an important role.

Significant barriers include: high investment costs for suitable charging infrastructure, fear of negative effects on the battery, skepticism regarding the technology’s maturity, and concerns about additional organizational effort.

The Stuttgart-based market researchers conclude that this presents a clear call to action for energy providers and other market players: What is needed are economically attractive business models, transparent revenue promises, and integrated offerings that combine the vehicle, charging infrastructure, and warranty services. Technical availability alone is not enough to create a mass market.

“The technology is ready, but bidirectional charging primarily solves a problem for energy providers related to the slow expansion of the grid. Without users, the numbers don’t add up,” says Uscale Managing Director Axel Sprenger. “The study makes it clear: The success of bidirectional charging will depend less on the technology than on the appeal of the market offerings.”

Author: Günter Drewnitzky