Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger: Release Date, Price & Installer Guide
Table of Contents
-- Release Date
-- Price
-- Specs
-- IQ EV Charger 2 vs. DC
-- How Enphase V2H Works
-- NEC and Permitting
-- Compatible EVs
-- V2H Alternatives
-- hould Installers Offer It?
The Enphase bidirectional EV charger, officially the IQ Bidirectional EV Charger, is a DC charger designed for Enphase vehicle-to-home (V2H) backup and future grid services. As of October 2026, Enphase is targeting Q4 pilot shipments, but general US availability hasn't been announced.
Enphase also hasn't published the Enphase bidirectional EV charger price or a confirmed list of compatible vehicles. For now, base preliminary designs on confirmed specifications only.
This guide covers release timing, pricing status, specs, and how the Enphase bidirectional charger compares with other V2H charger options. It also walks through the NEC, plan set, and utility questions that will shape every Enphase V2H installation.
The basics of bidirectional EV charging apply here too. This article focuses on Enphase's specific architecture and what it means for your projects.
Question | Current Answer |
Is the Enphase bidirectional charger available? | Pilot shipments targeted for Q4 2026; general US availability not announced |
What is the price? | Not announced |
Which EVs are compatible? | No confirmed production vehicle list yet |
Does it require an IQ Battery? | No; the basic US setup pairs the charger with the IQ Meter Collar |
Does it support home backup? | Designed for V2H backup, including black start |
Is it certified? | Expected to meet UL 9741, UL 1741 SB, and other standards; final certifications not announced |
Planning EV charging or V2H work? GreenLancer delivers EV permit design for solar and EVC contractors, with plan sets built for AHJ review.
When Will the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Be Available?
Enphase hasn't announced a firm US release date. Its February 2026 update said the company is targeting volume production in Q4 2026, with limited pilot deployments ahead of broader commercialization.
The latest word came on Enphase's July 2026 earnings call. The company said it expects pilot shipments to begin in Q4, subject to completing compliance testing.
Enphase Release Timeline
Over the past year, the target has narrowed from a broad 2026 window to Q4 pilots. Here's how the messaging has changed.
Date | Source | What Enphase Said |
Sept. 9, 2025 | Expected availability in the second half of 2026 for global markets | |
Feb. 2, 2026 | Platform update | Volume production targeted to begin in Q4 2026, with limited pilots before broader commercialization |
April 28, 2026 | Gearing up for a Q4 launch | |
July 28, 2026 | Pilot shipments expected in Q4, subject to compliance testing, alongside vehicle launches from one US and one European automaker |
What Pilot Shipments Mean for Installers
A pilot isn't the same as distributor stock. Expect a small, controlled rollout before the charger shows up through your usual Enphase supply channels.
Hold off on firm install dates in proposals until Enphase confirms general availability.
Treat early units as pilot hardware, since manuals, firmware, and listings may change before wide release.
Watch Enphase's quarterly earnings calls and installer updates for timing changes.
Keep a list of interested customers with V2H-capable vehicles so you can follow up quickly.
Ask your Enphase rep which automakers are part of the pilots, since Enphase hasn't named them publicly.
What Is the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Price?
Enphase hasn't announced pricing for the IQ Bidirectional EV Charger. Any figure you find online is an estimate, not a manufacturer price.
For customer conversations, it's more useful to explain what a complete V2H project includes. The charger is only one line on the quote.
Has Enphase Announced Pricing?
No. Enphase's announcements and earnings calls through July 2026 haven't included a list price.
Enphase describes the system as designed to be cost-effective and easy to install. Treat that as a design goal until pricing and installation manuals are published.
What Goes Into a Complete V2H Installation Quote?
Build quotes from the full equipment and soft-cost stack, not just the charger. Use this checklist so nothing gets missed.
Charger hardware: The IQ Bidirectional EV Charger, once Enphase publishes pricing.
Backup isolation equipment: The IQ Meter Collar in the basic US configuration.
Branch circuit and wiring: Conductors, conduit, overcurrent protection, and disconnecting means sized to the final input rating.
Electrical upgrades: Panel, busbar, or service upgrades if load calculations or busbar math don't work.
Engineering and plan sets: Single-line diagram, load calculations, and any required engineering review.
Permits and inspections: AHJ fees and any extra inspection visits.
Utility requirements: Meter collar approval, plus an interconnection application if the customer wants grid export.
Labor and commissioning: Installation, Enphase App setup, and backup testing.
Optional add-ons: Solar, IQ Batteries, or load control for partial-home backup.
Enphase IQ Bidirectional EV Charger Specifications
Most published specs are design targets, not final production ratings. Enphase describes them as targeted, designed, or expected, so plan sets should wait for final datasheets.
Power Ratings and Electrical Architecture
Here's what Enphase has disclosed so far, along with the status of each detail.
Spec | Published Detail | Status |
Connection | Connects to the EV's DC port, with the inverter in the charger | Design architecture |
Bidirectional power | Up to 11.5 kW | Target |
EV battery voltage | 400 V and 800 V EV architectures | Target |
Power electronics | GaN-based, grid-forming microinverters on a 650 V GaN platform | Design architecture |
Electrical service | Single-phase and three-phase, North America and Europe | In development |
Applications | Residential and light-commercial | In development |
Backup | Black start for a fully de-energized home | Designed capability |
Size and weight | 65 x 40 x 18 cm, up to 23 kg (pv magazine) | Published at unveiling |
Warranty | 10 years | Listed on product page |
Standards and Certification Status
Enphase's September 2025 announcement lists six standards the charger is expected to comply with. "Expected" is the key word, since Enphase hasn't announced completed certifications.
UL 9741: The safety standard for EV power export equipment, including bidirectional units.
UL 1741 SB: Inverter and grid-support testing that many US utilities require for interconnection.
UL 3141: Requirements for power control systems that limit current or export.
IEEE 1547: The US standard for interconnecting distributed energy resources with the grid.
ISO 15118-20: Vehicle-to-charger communication that supports bidirectional power transfer.
OCPP 2.1: The open protocol chargers use to talk to management networks, with added bidirectional support.
Before you submit permits, confirm the listing marks on the production unit and its installation manual. AHJs approve listed equipment, not press releases.
IQ EV Charger 2 vs. IQ Bidirectional EV Charger
These are two different products, and customers mix them up all the time. The IQ EV Charger 2 is a shipping AC charger with hardware built for future bidirectional use. The IQ Bidirectional EV Charger is a separate DC charger that's still in development.
AC vs. DC Bidirectional Charging
The key difference is where the inverter lives. AC bidirectional charging relies on the vehicle's onboard charger, while the DC approach puts the inverter inside the charger.
Feature | IQ EV Charger 2 | IQ Bidirectional EV Charger |
Charging type | AC (Level 2) | DC |
Inverter location | In the vehicle (onboard charger) | In the charger |
US availability | Shipping since December 2025 | Pilot shipments targeted for Q4 2026 |
Bidirectional status | ISO 15118-20 hardware and software for future AC bidirectional functions | Designed for V2H backup and future grid services |
Solar integration | Solar-aware charging that adjusts current in 1-amp steps | Energy management based on rates, solar forecasts, and grid conditions |
What the IQ EV Charger 2 Can Do Today
The IQ EV Charger 2 is a strong solar-integrated charger right now. It just isn't a V2H charger yet.
Enphase began US production shipments of the IQ EV Charger 2 in December 2025. Its future AC bidirectional functions will depend on vehicle support, standards, and software enablement.
Don't sell it as backup power today. For wiring, CT placement, and commissioning steps, use the US manuals in the Enphase EV charger documentation center.
How Does Enphase V2H Work With the IQ Meter Collar?
In the basic US configuration, the IQ Bidirectional EV Charger pairs with the IQ Meter Collar. Enphase says homeowners can start with those two components and add solar and IQ Batteries later.
The meter collar installs between the utility meter and the meter socket. It isolates the home from the grid so the house can run on EV power during an outage.
Backup Isolation and Black Start
Here's the outage sequence Enphase describes. Treat it as designed behavior until production documentation confirms the details.
The grid goes down, and the IQ Meter Collar isolates the home from the utility.
With the EV plugged in, the charger draws DC power from the vehicle battery.
The charger's grid-forming inverters convert that power to AC for household loads.
If the home is fully de-energized, black start is designed to bring it back up once the EV is connected.
When utility power returns, the system reconnects to the grid and resumes normal charging.
Backup runtime depends on the EV's state of charge, the charger's output, and how many loads sit on the backup side. Partial-home backup with load control stretches that runtime further.
Integration With Existing Solar and IQ Batteries
Many early buyers will already own Enphase solar, and some will have IQ Batteries. That raises integration questions you'll want answered during design, not at inspection.
Confirm compatibility with the existing microinverter generation and gateway once Enphase publishes it.
Check whether existing backup equipment, such as an IQ System Controller, changes the system architecture.
Plan how PV, IQ Batteries, and the EV share backup loads, including any solar power control systems settings.
Verify utility approval for the IQ Meter Collar in your territory. Enphase reported expanded utility approvals for behind-the-meter installation, including PG&E and SDG&E.
Budget time for battery storage permitting if the project adds stationary storage.
Enphase V2H Design, NEC, and Permitting Requirements
V2H adds electrical design and approval steps that a standard EV charger install doesn't have. An EV that powers a home is a power source, and AHJs will review it that way.
Design to the code edition your AHJ has adopted. Jurisdictions are spread across the 2020, 2023, and 2026 editions of the National Electrical Code, and section numbers shift between them.
Applicable NEC Articles and Equipment Listings
Which articles apply depends on how the system is configured. A backup-only design and a grid-export design don't trigger the same requirements.
Article 625 (EV power transfer): Covers the charger, its branch circuit, and overcurrent protection. In the 2020 and 2023 editions, Section 625.48 requires EV equipment with power export in an interactive system to be listed and marked for that use.
Article 702 (optional standby systems): Typically applies when the EV powers the home during outages through isolation equipment.
Article 705 (interconnected power sources): Applies when the charger operates in parallel with the grid or other sources, including busbar and point-of-connection rules.
Article 706 (energy storage systems): Applies to any stationary IQ Batteries on the project.
Article 690 (solar PV): Applies to existing or new PV on the same service.
Article 220 or 120 (load calculations): Section 220.57 in the 2023 NEC sets EVSE load at 7,200 VA or the nameplate rating, whichever is larger. The 2026 NEC moves load calculations to Article 120, so use the adopted edition and treat the charger's input load separately from its export capability.
On the equipment side, expect reviewers to look for UL 9741 listing for the power export function and UL 1741 SB for grid interaction. Confirm the final listings before you finalize the plan set.
Branch Circuit and Busbar Checks to Run Early
Enphase hasn't published the charger's installation manual or input current yet. You can still screen projects early for likely electrical upgrades.
Branch circuit sizing: Enphase's 11.5 kW target describes bidirectional power, not the charger's final AC input current. Size conductors and overcurrent protection from the production unit's listed input current, continuous-load rules, and manufacturer instructions.
Busbar check: If the approved design uses a load-side connection, evaluate the combined output of the charger and any existing solar or storage under the adopted edition of NEC 705.12. Under the 120% method, a 200 A busbar with a 200 A main leaves room for only 32 A of total source output.
Fixes when it fails: Depending on the approved connection method, options include a main breaker derate, supply-side connection, higher-rated busbar, or listed power control system. NEC 705.13 covers power control for interconnected sources, with supporting PCS requirements in Article 750 (2023 NEC) or Article 130 (2026 NEC).
Point of connection: The IQ Meter Collar architecture may change where the charger connects and how 705.12 applies. Confirm Enphase's approved wiring once the manual is out.
Once Enphase publishes final ratings and an approved connection point, check each project with the NEC 705.12 busbar calculator.
What Belongs on a V2H Permit Plan Set
A complete plan set documents the equipment, electrical connections, and backup operating modes. Gather this documentation for an Enphase V2H submittal.
Plan Set Item | What to Document |
Equipment configuration | Charger, IQ Meter Collar, PV inverters, IQ Batteries, and any control devices |
Single-line diagram | All sources, disconnecting means, backup paths, panel ratings, and point of connection |
Load calculations | Existing service load, EV charging input, backup loads, and controlled loads |
Backup capacity | Continuous output, surge needs, and load-shedding strategy |
Grid isolation | Meter collar location, transfer function, and utility approval |
Power control settings | Any listed PCS, monitored circuits, and current or export limits |
Equipment listings | NRTL listings, installation instructions, and approved equipment combinations |
Utility operating mode | Backup only, non-export grid-parallel, or approved for export |
Site details | Equipment locations, working clearances, conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, and grounding |
V2H Backup vs. V2G Utility Interconnection
Backup-only V2H and grid-export V2G are different projects. The second one needs utility approval before the system can send power to the grid.
V2H backup: The home is isolated from the grid during outages, and the EV powers backup loads. Utility involvement may be limited to approving the meter collar.
V2G export: The charger runs in parallel with the grid and exports power, so it needs an interconnection application and permission to operate. California's Vehicle-to-Grid Equipment List notes that customers must finish the utility interconnection process and receive PTO before exporting.
State rules are taking shape: Maryland requires an interconnection agreement and utility permission to operate before a V2G system runs bidirectionally in parallel with the grid. Its rules require UL 1741 for DC V2G equipment and set separate certification pathways for AC systems. Other states and utilities may apply different procedures.
Grid service programs are limited: Programs that pay for vehicle grid services aren't widely available yet, according to the US Department of Energy.
Set customer expectations accordingly. For most early projects, backup resilience is the main value, and V2G revenue is a maybe.
Need help with a V2H or EV charging plan set? GreenLancer delivers EV charging engineering, including electrical drawings and load calculations for AHJ review.
Which EVs Work With the Enphase Bidirectional Charger?
As of October 2026, Enphase hasn't published a confirmed list of compatible production vehicles. Its February 2026 update states that its demonstrations were conducted without automaker authorization and don't imply automaker approval.
Enphase says compatibility will depend on automaker enablement, vehicle software, applicable standards, and final product specs. On the July earnings call, it tied Q4 pilots to vehicle launches from one US and one European automaker, without naming either.
How to Verify OEM Compatibility
Don't assume an EV will work just because it supports bidirectional charging with another brand's equipment. Run through this checklist before you quote a customer.
The vehicle supports DC bidirectional power export, not only vehicle-to-load (V2L) outlets.
The vehicle uses ISO 15118-20 communication for bidirectional charging.
The automaker has enabled power export with the Enphase charger through software and authorization.
Model year, trim, and battery pack are confirmed, since support often varies within a model line.
The production charger's connector matches the vehicle's DC port, whether CCS1 or NACS.
The automaker's warranty terms allow bidirectional use with third-party equipment.
Enphase lists the vehicle as compatible in its official documentation.
Enphase V2H Alternatives for Installers
Some customers won't want to wait for Enphase pilots to wrap up. Several automakers already offer V2H through their own approved equipment, and each one ties you to specific hardware.
OEM-Backed V2H Systems Compared
Each system below pairs specific vehicles with specific equipment. None of them indicates compatibility with Enphase hardware.
V2H System | Vehicles | Required Equipment | Installer Notes |
Ford Home Backup Power | Compatible F-150 Lightning | Ford Charge Station Pro plus the Home Integration System | Standard-range trucks need a one-time software activation fee |
GM Energy | V2H-capable GM EVs, including the 2026 Silverado EV, Sierra EV, Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Cadillac Lyriq | GM Energy V2H Bundle: PowerShift Charger plus V2H Enablement Kit (home hub, inverter, and dark start battery) | 9.6 kW inverter backup; home hub supports services up to 200 A; not compatible with other brands' batteries |
Kia and Wallbox | 2024 and 2025 Kia EV9 | Wallbox Quasar 2 plus Power Recovery Unit | Kia's V2H requirements include the Power Recovery Unit for outage backup and an EV above 20% state of charge. Wallbox offers Quasar 2 to eligible EV9 owners, so confirm package availability, eligibility, and installer requirements |
Enphase | No confirmed production vehicles yet | IQ Bidirectional EV Charger plus IQ Meter Collar | Pilot shipments targeted for Q4 2026 |
In May 2026, The Mobility House reported a Kia EV9 and Quasar 2 installation interconnected for grid export in San Diego County. The team worked with SDG&E and reached PTO in under six months, though approvals vary by utility.
Third-party options such as dcbel are worth watching too. Verify current US availability and approved vehicles before recommending one.
Should Solar Installers Offer Enphase V2H?
Enphase V2H is worth evaluating now, but hold off on selling installations until vehicle compatibility and product approvals are confirmed. The opportunity is real, and so are the open questions.
Best-Fit Projects
Early Enphase V2H projects will work best where backup value is clear and the electrical path is simple. Look for these customers first.
Existing Enphase solar customers who already use the Enphase App
Homes in outage-prone areas where backup is the main selling point
Drivers of EVs with DC bidirectional support, once automaker approval is confirmed
Budget-conscious backup buyers who may add IQ Batteries later
Utility territories with IQ Meter Collar approval and active V2G or VPP programs
Risks to Plan For
A few risks could affect early projects. Build them into your sales conversations from the start.
Timing: Pilot shipments depend on compliance testing, so dates could slip.
Vehicle availability: Backup only works when the EV is home and charged. That's why V2H usually complements a stationary battery rather than replacing it.
Automaker support: Compatibility depends on OEM software and authorization.
AHJ familiarity: Many inspectors haven't reviewed a DC bidirectional charger yet, so expect questions.
Final specs: Ratings, listings, and installation requirements may change before general release.
What Installers Can Do Now
You don't have to wait for general availability to start preparing. These steps set up future Enphase V2H projects.
Identify interested customers and document each EV's model, model year, and charging port.
Review existing service capacity, PV equipment, battery systems, and backup loads.
Confirm whether your local utility approves the IQ Meter Collar.
Track Enphase's official compatibility, listing, and installation documentation.
Avoid promising installation dates or pricing until equipment availability is confirmed.
Get Your Solar, V2H, and EV Charging Projects Permit-Ready. Many V2H projects share a plan set with new or existing solar. GreenLancer delivers solar permit design, solar engineering, and EV permit design and engineering for contractors, from load calculations to AHJ-ready plan sets. Complete the form below to get started.
Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger FAQs
These quick answers cover the questions installers hear most about Enphase V2H.
Is the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 Bidirectional?
Not yet in practice. The IQ EV Charger 2 has ISO 15118-20 hardware and software designed for future AC bidirectional functions, which depend on vehicle support and software enablement. The DC IQ Bidirectional EV Charger is a separate product.
Does the Enphase Bidirectional Charger Require an IQ Battery?
No. In the basic US configuration, the charger pairs with the IQ Meter Collar. Solar and IQ Batteries can be added later.
Can the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Power a Whole Home?
It's designed to power a home during outages, including black start for a de-energized home. Whether that covers the whole home depends on the up to 11.5 kW output target, the EV's state of charge, and the connected loads.
What Is the Difference Between V2H and V2G?
V2H powers a home while it's isolated from the grid during an outage. V2G sends power back to the grid in parallel with utility service, which requires an interconnection application and permission to operate.
Will the Enphase Bidirectional Charger Work With Existing Enphase Systems?
Enphase says homeowners can expand the system with Enphase solar and batteries. It hasn't yet published full compatibility details for existing microinverters and backup equipment.
What Standards Will the Enphase Bidirectional Charger Meet?
Enphase expects the charger to comply with UL 9741, UL 3141, UL 1741 SB, ISO 15118-20, OCPP 2.1, and IEEE 1547. Completed certifications haven't been announced.
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