A research team at the University of Michigan studied vehicle-to-home charging, called V2H. V2H lets drivers use energy stored in an electric car battery to run household appliances. It works like using a parked car as a generator while the grid originally charged the battery.
The study finds V2H can save owners thousands of dollars over a vehicle lifetime and cut greenhouse gas emissions from both homes and transport. The team modelled a mid-sized SUV and looked at different parts of the United States.
Results vary by location. The control technology is still early in the US, and researchers are testing systems with utilities and working on automation and battery life.
Difficult words
- charge — to store electrical energy in a batterycharging, charged
- battery — a device that stores electrical energy for later use
- appliance — a machine used in a house for daily tasksappliances
- emission — gas released into the air from activitiesemissions
- model — to make a simple plan or computer simulationmodelled
- utility — a public company that provides electricity or waterutilities
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Related articles
Sand and gravel extraction threatens the Río Grande in Oaxaca
Large-scale sand and gravel removal is changing the Río Grande near San Pedro Chicozapotes in Oaxaca. Locals link the operations to the Concha Ojeda family and plan a community forum to defend the river.
Indigenous leader Dzoodzo Baniwa wins climate award
Dzoodzo Baniwa, from the Alto Río Negro territory in Amazonas, won a Bunge Foundation award for work on the climate emergency and practical agricultural science solutions. The prize highlights links between indigenous knowledge and scientific practice.
International Reggae Day 2025: One Love, One Voice, One Day
International Reggae Day marks its 31st year with the theme "One Love, One Voice, One Day." Organisers focus on climate justice and the environment and gave the Winnie Mandela Humanitarian Award to Mia Mottley.
Transgender group in Karachi links rights and climate action
Pakistan’s transgender community faces social exclusion and legal setbacks. In Karachi, the trans‑led group GIA provides services and has added climate projects like EcoDignity and a public mural to increase visibility and create safe work.
Manyange Na Elombo Marine Protected Area in Cameroon
The Manyange Na Elombo MPA on Cameroon's coast was designated in 2021. It includes the fishing village Ebodje and sacred sites for the Iyassa people. The area faces pressure from the Kribi port and other projects.
Daily shift in mouse brain activity
Researchers combined genetic tagging, 3D imaging and computational analysis to follow single cells in mouse brains across the day. They found activity shifts from deep brain layers toward the cortex and aim to identify fatigue signatures.