Phoenix Motorcars Enables V2G Capability For Its Buses and Trucks in Partnership With Fermata Energy

Phoenix Motor Inc., a frontrunner in delivering electrification solutions for medium-duty vehicles, and Fermata Energy LLC, a renowned software provider for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) bidirectional charging platforms, have recently reported the triumphant integration of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities. This significant development is applicable to all medium-duty electric vehicles manufactured by Phoenix Motorcars. This achievement underscores the companies’ commitment to innovating and advancing electric vehicle technology, contributing to a sustainable and eco-friendly future.

All electric school buses, shuttle buses, and trucks produced by Phoenix Motorcars, dating back to first-generation vehicles delivered in 2014, and extending to current generation vehicles, can now be equipped with this transformative V2G capability. This innovative feature allows fleet vehicles to return excess energy back to the electrical grid through Fermata Energy’s proprietary FE-20 bidirectional chargers. The unique connection established by this technology enables Direct Current (DC) charging and discharging at a rate of 20kW over the CHAdeMO connection, facilitating efficient energy utilization and management.

Phoenix Motor Inc. is providing a software update to enable Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities on all older generation vehicles. This makes Phoenix the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to offer V2G across all vehicles produced, a testament to its pioneering spirit in the realm of electric vehicle technology. Additionally, Phoenix has announced plans to equip its next generation vehicles with an even faster 60kW V2G capability. This upgrade will be achieved using the Combined Charging System (CCS) protocol, in a continued partnership with Fermata Energy. This move underlines Phoenix’s commitment to technological advancement, improved energy efficiency, and sustainability.

Phoenix Motorcars and Fermata Energy have also announced the signing of a commercial partnership agreement, setting a new precedent in the electric vehicle industry. Enabled through this agreement, fleet vehicles will have seamless deployment of V2G capable vehicles, chargers, and managed V2G services. The importance of V2G capability cannot be overstated for the wider adoption of electric commercial vehicles. It allows fleet vehicles to maintain a more symbiotic relationship with power grids, especially during periods of high demand. This collaborative use of energy not only optimizes power utilization but also contributes significantly to a more sustainable future.

“At Phoenix, our goal is to enable fleets to derive the most benefit from their electrification efforts. The partnership with Fermata Energy brings V2G capabilities to our vehicles and is a critical piece in achieving this goal,” said Denton Peng, CEO of Phoenix. “We are also very proud to enable this feature for all of our past production vehicles, a first in the industry.”

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Phoenix through this successful integration,” said Tony Posawatz, CEO of Fermata Energy. “With this integration, Fermata Energy’s V2X bidirectional charging software platform unlocks the value of stationary commercial EV batteries, moving beyond consumer vehicle applications and enabling fleet owners and operators to earn revenue while parked, protect battery health and ultimately support energy grid resilience.”