(Yicai) July 11 -- Chinese state-owned power producer State Grid has reportedly opened the nation's largest demonstration zone for vehicle-to-grid technology, which turns electric cars into mobile power banks to help balance supply and demand in the electricity grid.

More than 50 electric vehicles made by different automakers returned more than 3,100 kilowatt-hours of energy to the grid in the zone, located in the city of Wuxi, when it began commercial operations yesterday morning, China Central Television reported today. 

Vehicle-to-grid technology has a number of benefits. EV owners can earn money by returning electricity to the grid at times of peak demand, which helps to stablize the network and thereby reduce the chance of blackouts and improve overall grid reliability.

“I usually charge at home, and it costs me over CNY0.3 (US 4 cents) per kWh,” an EV driver who tried out the new system said. “By discharging power here, I can earn triple the amount in points, offsetting the cost of charging and making it quite cost-effective.”

The more than 14,500-square-meter zone, which integrates photovoltaics, energy storage, charging, and discharging, went into trial operation in August 2023.

The zone’s second phase will expand its capabilities to include supercharging, mobile charging, and battery swaps. After that, it will meet the charging needs of 144 EVs and the discharging needs of 50, as well as offer battery swaps for 400 vehicles.

Editor: Emmi Laine