Wallbox, a developer of electric vehicle charging and energy management solutions, has joined forces with Kia America to usher in a new era of bidirectional charging capabilities for EV9 owners. This groundbreaking initiative will commence with the deployment of Wallbox’s cutting-edge Quasar 2 EV charger.
Founded eight years ago, Wallbox has emerged as a pioneer in the realm of advanced EV charging and energy management systems, revolutionizing the dynamics between users and the energy grid. Its extensive portfolio of commercial and public EV charging solutions now spans an impressive 115 countries worldwide.
Last October, we had the opportunity to visit Wallbox’s state-of-the-art facility in Texas, where the company showcased a remarkable 400kW DC fast charger, capable of providing a staggering 100 miles of range in just five minutes. While many EVs are not yet equipped to handle such high charging rates, some vehicles on Hyundai Motor Group’s 800V E-GMP platform, including the Kia EV9, are leading the charge. The Kia EV9 has recently commenced deliveries in the United States.
Today, Wallbox announced an exciting collaboration with Kia to offer EV9 drivers access to the second-generation Quasar 2 home charger, opening the door to the potential of bidirectional charging.
The collaboration between Wallbox and Kia America was officially unveiled, with plans to introduce the upgraded Quasar 2 home charger to EV9 customers in the first half of 2024. This model, which was first unveiled at CES in January 2022, garnered significant attention due to its bidirectional capabilities.
By utilizing this innovative home charger, EV9 owners can effectively transform their electric vehicles into portable power banks, capable of supplying energy from the vehicle’s battery to their residences. This groundbreaking capability, also known as vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology, is increasingly gaining traction within the EV landscape, offering the potential to power homes during blackouts, adverse weather conditions, or peak energy consumption periods. However, despite the existence of this technology, its successful implementation necessitates substantial effort.
Wallbox is confident that the Quasar 2 home charger will be available to Kia EV9 owners by next year, enabling them to achieve substantial energy cost savings and providing a sense of security during power outages. Enric Asunción, Co-founder and CEO of Wallbox, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration with Kia America, emphasizing the shared vision of expediting the electrification journey and revolutionizing energy utilization.
Asunción stated, “We’re excited to work with Kia America toward our shared vision for accelerating electrification and transforming how we harness and interact with energy. Bidirectional charging can offer long term benefits to users, grid operators, utilities and will accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources. When combined with an EV capable of bidirectional charging, such as Kia’s advanced EV9, Quasar 2 offers one of the most functional and affordable home energy management solutions on the market.”
The second-generation Quasar 2 boasts bidirectional charge rates of up to 11.5kW. It’s worth noting that when paired with the EV9’s 76kW or 100kW battery pack, owners can store an impressive five times the capacity of a standard home storage system. This equates to ample power to sustain a typical household’s energy consumption for up to four days.
In addition to these benefits, Wallbox estimates that Quasar 2 owners will enjoy annual energy bill savings exceeding $1,000 when coupled with other time-of-use programs. The anticipated rollout of Wallbox’s Quasar 2 home chargers is set to commence in the first half of the upcoming year. This collaborative effort between Wallbox and Kia America holds the promise of reshaping the landscape of home charging and energy management, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future.
