Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger May Be a Game Changer
- Sarah Lozanova
- Nov 27
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 27
Electric vehicle (EV) batteries store a significant amount of power, but for most drivers, that energy is only used for transportation. The IQ Bidirectional EV Charger from Enphase changes that, turning the vehicle into a powerful, two-way energy asset. This advanced bidirectional EV charger makes it possible to use stored EV energy to support your home during outages (V2H) or even stabilize the grid (V2G).
As experts in the clean energy space since established in 2013, GreenLancer is tracking this market-defining technology closely.
Expected to be available in 2026, the Enphase bidirectional charger will allow homeowners with compatible EVs to utilize their batteries as an additional energy source. This technology reflects the growing demand for energy independence and gives solar installers a critical new opportunity to offer comprehensive V2H solutions.
Table of Contents
  -- How the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Works:
  -- EVs Compatible with the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger
  -- Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Release Date Delayed
  -- Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Price
What Is a Bidirectional EV Charger? How Enphase IQ Charger Works (V2H & V2G)
A bidirectional EV charger is a revolutionary piece of home energy technology that enables two-way power flow between the electrical grid, your home, and your electric vehicle (EV). It goes beyond simply charging your EV by allowing energy to be drawn from the grid or solar array to the vehicle, and also sent back from the EV’s battery to power the home, specific loads (Vehicle-to-Home or V2H), or the electric utility grid (Vehicle-to-Grid or V2G).
The Enphase IQ Bidirectional EV Charger (DC model) is a powerful DC charger that delivers up to 11.5 kW of bidirectional AC power. It acts as the intelligent bridge, incorporating the necessary inverter technology to convert the battery’s DC power into usable AC power for the home or grid. This allows the EV to function as a massive, wheeled energy storage system.
How Enphase Bidirectional Charging Works:
Integration: The charger is designed to work as an integrated component of the broader Enphase Energy System (which includes IQ Microinverters and IQ Batteries) or as a powerful standalone unit.
Islanding: For V2H and V2G functions, the charger is paired with an IQ Meter Collar (Grid Islanding device). This collar safely disconnects the home from the utility grid during an outage, enabling the EV to power the house.
V2H & Resilience: During a power outage, the charger's unique Black Start feature allows the system to instantly power up a completely de-energized home using the EV battery as the sole backup source.
Intelligence: The system uses AI-powered energy management software to optimize the charge and discharge algorithms based on real-time electricity rates (Time-of-Use or TOU), solar production forecasts, and grid conditions, maximizing cost savings and self-consumption of solar energy.
Key Benefits of the Enphase IQ Bidirectional EV Charger for Solar & V2H
The Enphase IQ Bidirectional EV Charger is more than a Level 2 charging station; it is a critical component that integrates electric vehicles into the smart home energy ecosystem. Offering this technology provides profound advantages for both homeowners seeking ultimate energy independence and the solar companies looking to expand their portfolio.
For Homeowners: Energy Resilience, Cost Savings, and Sustainability
Homeowners can immediately realize value by transforming their EV into a powerful, mobile battery. The system’s V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) capabilities are managed entirely through the Enphase App, providing seamless, intelligent control.
Bundling EV chargers with solar installations provides an upsell opportunity while future-proofing customers’ home energy systems. However, one downside is that the Enphase bidirectional charger might discourage people from also installing solar batteries. This is because they can tap the energy in their EV batteries instead, which is often more economical.
Benefits for Solar Installers and Contractors
Offering the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger allows solar companies to reposition themselves as holistic home energy solution providers, driving new revenue streams and customer loyalty.
Expanded Service Offerings: The charger provides a chance to broaden your clean energy service portfolio significantly. By offering true V2H and V2G functionality, you appeal to a growing, tech-savvy customer base that values advanced energy independence solutions.
Strong Upsell and Bundling Opportunity: The charger is a natural upsell when paired with a new solar installation, making the entire package more valuable and future-proofed. The modular design, which requires only the IQ Meter Collar for basic functionality, allows customers to start with V2H and add stationary IQ Batteries later for multi-layered protection.
Cost-Effective Backup Alternative: While it is true that the charger may, in some cases, defer the purchase of a stationary home battery, it provides a highly economical backup option, leveraging the customer's existing EV asset. This addresses budget-sensitive customers, bringing them into the Enphase ecosystem where they are likely to upgrade later.
Simplified, Scalable Installation:Â Being part of the Enphase IQ System ensures installation is streamlined, reliable, and backed by a single, comprehensive platform, reducing training time and simplifying long-term monitoring via the Enlighten software.
Challenges for Installers Offering the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger
While the Enphase bidirectional EV charger offers exciting opportunities for solar installers, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
Technical Complexity: Integrating a bidirectional charger with existing solar systems could require additional technical expertise. Installers may need to invest in training or hire specialists to ensure proper setup and compatibility with different EV models and solar equipment.
Increased Installation Time and Costs: The installation of the Enphase bidirectional EV chargers may take longer and require more advanced equipment than typical solar systems. This could increase your labor costs and the overall price of the system, which could deter some customers from adopting this bidirectional EV charger technology.
Regulatory and Code Compliance Issues: In some regions, bidirectional EV charging may not yet be fully supported by local electrical codes or utility regulations. Solar installers might face challenges in navigating these legal hurdles, potentially delaying or complicating solar and EVC installations.
Limited EV Compatibility: Not all EVs are currently Bidirectional Compatible (ISO 15118-20). This limits the immediate customer base, increasing sales friction.
Uncertain Demand: The Enphase bidirectional EV charger is still a relatively new product. Solar installers may face uncertainty about customer demand for this technology, especially if customers are unfamiliar with its benefits or unsure about its long-term viability.
Integration with Utility Companies: Not all utility companies have programs for homeowners to supply surplus electricity, so they may not see financial benefits.
Decreased Demand for Solar Batteries: The EV battery acts as an energy storage solution, potentially decreasing demand for dedicated solar batteries (e.g., IQ Battery).
EVs Compatible with the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger and V2H Charging
As of December 2024, several EVs offer bidirectional charging capabilities, enabling functions like vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home. Notable models include:
Nissan Leaf: Equipped with V2H and V2G capabilities, the Leaf can output up to 7 kW when connected to a compatible bidirectional EV charger like the Enphase bidirectional charger.
Ford F-150 Lightning: This electric pickup supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) and V2H functionalities. It can provide backup power to a home when paired with the necessary equipment.
Volkswagen ID.4 (2024 model): The latest ID.4 offers V2G and V2H capabilities, with an output sufficient to power an average home for up to two days, depending on energy consumption. Currently, this feature is available in models with 77-kWh battery packs and ID. Software 3.5 or newer.
Kia EV9: It currently has V2L functionality, allowing it to power external devices. In addition, Kia has announced plans to include V2H and V2G capabilities in the near future, which will require compatible bidirectional EV chargers, such as the Enphase EV bidirectional charger.
Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Release Date Delayed
The highly anticipated Enphase bidirectional EV charger, now officially named the IQ Bidirectional EV Charger, has seen an adjustment to its market introduction timeline.
Key Release Date Updates
Expected Availability: Based on the latest public information, the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger release date is anticipated to be in 2026.
Reason for Delay: This revised timeline allows Enphase additional time to finalize essential product development. This includes completing rigorous integration and certification testing with compatible EV models, ensuring seamless interoperability with the home’s IQ Energy System (solar and batteries), and meeting the rapidly evolving global standards for bidirectional charging functionalities.
Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Price
The Enphase bidirectional EV charger price remains a high-priority query for installers and customers, ranking highly in search traffic. While the official cost for the IQ Bidirectional EV Charger unit is pending its 2026 release, installers can utilize current industry estimates to plan project bids.
Estimated Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger Price (Unit Only)
Industry Estimate: Early estimates for the unit price place the Enphase bidirectional charger price in the range of $4,000 to $5,000.
Disclaimer:Â This pricing is an unconfirmed industry estimate and typically covers the cost of the charger unit itself. Final pricing will be determined by Enphase upon launch.
Factors Affecting Total Bidirectional EV Charger Installation Cost
The total project cost for an Enphase bidirectional EV charger installation will be significantly higher than the unit price and depends on key site-specific variables:
System Integration: The charger must be integrated into the existing Enphase Energy System (microinverters, IQ System Controller). If a system controller or smart switch is not already installed, these components will add to the overall price.
Electrical Upgrades: Costs may increase if the home requires a main panel upgrade or extensive trenching/wiring. However, the charger's Dynamic Load Balancing feature can often mitigate the need for costly panel upgrades.
V2H Charger Permit Plans: The complexity of the required V2H charger permit plans and local utility interconnection agreements can vary, affecting associated permitting and soft costs.
Labor & Location:Â Installation fees fluctuate based on regional labor rates and the certified technical expertise required for bidirectional setup.
The Future of Energy Independence with Bidirectional EV Charging
EV batteries store a lot of energy but typically provide little or no value when the car is parked. The Enphase bidirectional EV charger boosts energy independence by enabling people to access the stored energy in their EV batteries.
With Enphase V2H technology, homeowners can use their EVs as a backup power source, reducing reliance on the grid. Although this is possible for some vehicles, it isn’t clear to many EV owners how to access V2G and V2H capabilities. The Enphase bidirectional charger makes this part of an integrated system, boosting the appeal of all its products.
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