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2023 EU plug-in model and V2G (or V2H/V2X)

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Fahr, Jan 4, 2024.

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  1. Fahr

    Fahr New Member

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    I've been trying to find information on the new EU Prius 2023 model and whether or not it can do V2G, but it's surprisingly difficult to get anything.

    I even rang the dealership yesterday and the sales guy was unable to tell me. He forwarded me to some tech person, who also didn't know...

    So I'm hoping someone here can give me some conclusive information. Basically, what I'm trying to do is use the 2023 EU Prius as a home battery. We have a lot of solar panels that majorly overproduce during the day and I would like to store this power in the Prius and use it at night. Fairly simple home battery scenario.

    Can anyone tell me if this is possible with the 2023 EU Prius and what kind of charger/additional equipment I would need to set this up?

    In case it's relevant; this is in The Netherlands.

    Thanks!
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    there is nothing official from toyota, but it would likely void the warranty.
    that being said, i have never seen it done here, and you would probably need a lot of knowledge to attempt it on your own.
    there is a lot of information on the net like this:

    vehicle-to-grid-v2g

    but i can't find anything with specific instructions or parts availability.

    all the best!
     
  3. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    Short answer: No.

    While it wouldn't be worth the effort, it would be relatively straightforward to turn the Prius PHEV into an emergency home power source. All the real work would be done on the home's electrical system. But if you're doing that work, honestly a fossil fuel backup generator would do the job better and far less clumsily(a backup generator can be installed to activate automatically in case of grid failure; the Prius would have to be manually plugged in and activated after the power loss, and there would be the problem of exhaust gasses).

    But using the Prius PHEV as an integral part of the home's electrical system as a home battery is something altogether different. The car's electrical system is not set up for that at all. It could probably be done by someone with advanced knowledge of battery management systems that would basically need to build a separate control system and install a bypass on the factory modules. I certainly wouldn't even know where to begin. Again, for the amount of money and effort it would take, it would be far more efficient to just buy a home battery designed for the purpose. Modding the car to the extent needed would absolutely void the car's warranty, and probably also void a home insurance policy if something bad were to happen.
     
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Japan had the means of V2H with plug ins, and even some FCEVs for power only. The PiP and gen4 PHV supported it. The issue for other markets is that the system worked through the CHAdeMO plug, and then the equipment cost more than a basic Level 2 charger. Which is a real problem in regards to the latest PHV, as it doesn't have CHAdeMO even in Japan. The standard is going through changes, so that might change.
    Someone was working on a charger with automated emergency power switchover system with their PiP back then. Unless the project is a hobby, much easier, and likely cheaper, to just install a home battery.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i saw a video of a guy who had dedicated solar panels to charge his car, and used his riding mower as a buffer.
    the whole setup was pretty complicated, and he wasn't even using it to power the home.
     
  6. Fahr

    Fahr New Member

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    Thanks for all the replies - this confirms what I already suspected.

    As it happens; I am a power systems engineer with quite some experience on grid battery control systems, but even so, there's no way I'm voiding the warranty on a brand new car just to play with the battery.

    Hopefully this will get more standardized and supported in future models.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it seems to be coming quickly, but more likely on ev's than phev's due to battery size
     
  8. reallyreal

    reallyreal Member

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    Section 6 (Internal Accessories) of the manual, which you can download from the Toyota website, contain details about how to use the power socket in the trunk. It can provide up to 1500 W of sustained power at ~230 V, but it is written not to use it as a generator to power a home. It does leave open the possibility to connect it to an emergency power supply system though, for instance something with an external power source or something separate from the electrical wiring or the company providing electricity to the home, so occasional uses in such circumstances should not void the warranty.