EV Daily | Tesla's Bidirectional Charging Faces Delays Amid Growing Competition in Home Energy Solutions

【Tesla】

Tesla's Powerwall has long been popular for home solar and battery backup solutions, but recent controversies surrounding its CEO, coupled with long wait times, have led consumers to explore alternatives. The Tesla Powerwall remains praised for its sleek design and high energy density. However, competition from companies like EG4 and Franklin, which offer similar capabilities and potentially more affordable prices, is increasing. Tesla's vehicles now support bidirectional charging, also known as V2X, allowing car batteries to back up homes or the grid. Yet, this feature is only officially available with the Cybertruck and the Powershare home solution, which has been delayed. Sigenergy offers a Powerwall competitor with a universal bidirectional DC charger as an alternative.

【Others】

The modular Bluetti EP800 + B500 system offers a flexible battery solution for smaller spaces, providing 9.9 kWh of capacity, scalable to nearly 20 kWh. EG4's 14.3 kWh PowerPro battery is mentioned as a strong competitor to Tesla's Powerwall. Enphase presents the IQ Battery 10, a Wi-Fi-enabled system that integrates with home systems, providing a seamless EV charging solution. The Franklin WH aPower 2 offers sleek styling, competing with Tesla in energy storage capacity. GM's Energy Home System aims to provide an integrated EV and home energy solution, with components like the PowerBank and PowerShift Charger. The system is designed to work seamlessly with GM EVs. StorEn is developing a vanadium flow battery offering a 25-year lifespan, although bulkier and not yet available to the general public. Villara's VillaGrid+ battery, praised for its lithium-titanium-oxide chemistry, offers better recharge capabilities and a longer lifespan than traditional lithium-ion alternatives, albeit at a higher cost. The upcoming 2026 GMC Sierra EV models offer significant towing capacities, with variations based on trim. The Sierra EV is seen as a capable towing vehicle, although towing impacts range significantly. GM advises smart driving techniques to optimize performance.