Vehicle-to-Grid Bundle: BYD and Octopus Launch UK's First Combined Electric Vehicle Charging and Energy Storage Service
The UK's first commercial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) package, the Power Pack Bundle, is set to hit the roads this autumn. This groundbreaking initiative, a collaboration between Octopus Energy, BYD, and Zaptec, aims to transform the way electric vehicle (EV) drivers charge their cars and contribute to a greener, more resilient energy grid.
The Power Pack Bundle includes everything needed to get started with V2G at home. For just £299 per month, EV drivers can lease a V2G-ready BYD Dolphin electric car, install a bi-directional Zaptec Pro charger, and gain access to a smart tariff from Octopus Energy that provides free home EV charging.
One of the key benefits of the Power Pack Bundle is the potential for significant savings. Compared to charging on a standard energy tariff, the Power Pack Bundle could save drivers around £620 annually, and potentially up to £1,000 when compared with running a petrol or diesel car.
The Power Pack Bundle operates on the principle of V2G technology, where EVs send power back to the grid during peak demand and charge during periods of lower demand. This bidirectional flow helps reduce reliance on fossil fuel power plants, improve grid stability, and unlock the EV's full potential as a dynamic energy asset, effectively turning the car into a "battery on wheels" without compromising drivability.
Powered by Octopus Energy's Kraken technology platform, the bundle offers an easy-to-use system that automates and optimizes charging and energy dispatch for customers, making the benefits straightforward to access. The system manages the charge and discharge cycles automatically, allowing drivers to power all the miles included in their lease at no additional cost.
The Power Pack Bundle is not without its considerations. It might not be suitable for every lifestyle, especially for those who cannot regularly leave their car parked overnight. However, for those who can, the benefits far outweigh the limitations.
In addition to the financial savings, the Power Pack Bundle also offers environmental benefits. By feeding electricity back to the grid during peak times, EV owners support cleaner energy systems and help reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel plants.
The launch of the Power Pack Bundle is a significant step toward bringing V2G technology into everyday life as more V2G-ready EVs enter the market. Cars from manufacturers like Volkswagen Group and Renault are already equipped with V2G technology and will offer similar technology tie-ups in the future.
Octopus Energy and BYD have also partnered with Motability to make the V2G technology available to disabled people across the UK. This move further cements the Power Pack Bundle's position as a pioneering commercial V2G solution that not only drastically reduces electric vehicle running costs—potentially to zero for charging—but also contributes to a greener, more resilient energy grid in the UK.
In conclusion, the Power Pack Bundle is a game-changer for electric vehicle ownership in the UK. It offers a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and technologically advanced solution for EV drivers, making the transition to electric vehicles more appealing and accessible than ever before.
Electric-vehicle owners can now improve their lifestyle and contribute to a greener future with the Power Pack Bundle, which includes a V2G-ready BYD car, Zaptec charger, and smart tariff from Octopus Energy. This technology-driven initiative not only offers significant financial savings, potentially up to £1,000 annually, but also enables electric vehicles to send power back to the grid during peak demand, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuel power plants and supporting cleaner energy systems.
