Electric vehicle project spans four European countries

The EV4EU project, backed by nearly 9 million euros from the European Union, studied how electric vehicles could lower electricity costs and boost renewable energy use across Portugal, Slovenia, Greece, and Denmark from 2022 to 2026.

Portugal sees cost savings with bidirectional charging

In Portugal, researchers found that using bidirectional charging—where EVs can send power back to homes or the grid—reduced home charging costs by an average of 14%. This method also increased renewable energy integration by up to 21.9%.

Slovenia tests virtual power plants

Slovenian researchers focused on virtual power plants, which can manage multiple vehicles to improve the efficiency of bidirectional charging. This approach helps coordinate energy flow between vehicles and the grid more effectively.

Greece and Denmark develop new charging strategies

In Greece, the project examined dynamic pricing for public infrastructure, while Denmark worked on managing parking lots with charging stations more intelligently. These efforts aimed to make EV charging more efficient and user-friendly.

Challenges remain for widespread EV charging adoption

Experts stress that large-scale use of bidirectional charging requires compatible vehicles and charging stations. They also warn of the need to protect vehicle mobility and battery health, using algorithms to manage charging cycles effectively.

Economic incentives still a hurdle

Despite the potential benefits, getting drivers to share their vehicle batteries with the grid remains difficult. Researchers say attractive financial rewards or savings are needed to encourage participation, with the ultimate goal of making these solutions widely accessible.