User Acceptance of Bidirectional Charging: Breakthrough or Bust?
Bidirectional Charging: One in Three EV Drivers Is Ready – Now It’s All About Execution and Trust
Interest in bidirectional charging is strong, but widespread adoption will depend on compelling solutions and building user trust. Around 30% of current EV drivers in Germany say they are willing to use their vehicle as an energy storage system — whether for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), or Vehicle-to-Business (V2B) applications. These findings reveal significant potential, provided the right conditions are met by vendors.
Stuttgart, July 14, 2025 – While key regulatory and technical standards are still being finalized, the industry is moving quickly. Many EV drivers are eager for real-world implementation. For the third time, USCALE’s Bidirectional Charging Study takes an in-depth look at user expectations, concerns, and preferences
- From Idealism to Economics: Motivations are Shifting
Environmental concerns remain a key initial motivator. However, as EVs become more mainstream, financial incentives are playing an increasingly important role. The biggest obstacles to adoption include concerns about battery degradation, limited trust in the technology, and compensation models seen as unattractive. - Vehicle-to-Grid: It’s All about the Payout
The benefits of V2G lie primarily with grid operators and utilities. For EV drivers to actively participate, financial compensation must be clear, transparent, and significantly exceed standard electricity feed-in tariffs. - Vehicle-to-Home: It’s All about the Cost
V2H offers direct benefits for users, such as maximizing self-consumption of solar energy. Most respondents said they would be willing to invest up to €1,500 in the necessary vehicle tech features and home charging infrastructure. - Trust Is Crucial – and One-Stop Solutions Are Preferred
Charging technology providers currently enjoy the highest levels of user trust — particularly when they offer integrated, turnkey solutions. However, as new customer segments enter the EV market, user preferences are shifting. Depending on the use case, utilities, energy service providers, car dealerships, and OEMs are gaining relevance as trusted partners.
About the Study
In April 2025, 1,862 EV drivers with a variety of charging habits were surveyed. In addition, a reference group of 506 internal combustion engine drivers with varying levels of interest in EVs was included. To assess willingness to adopt bidirectional charging, the study used the Pain-Gain model. The study has been carried out in Germany
Quote from Dr Axel Sprenger
“The ramp-up of eMobility remains slow. This is dampening utilisation of the charging infrastructure and putting providers under pressure. Utilisation and customer loyalty are becoming the key levers. Providers must therefore offer tariffs with real added value that take into account the wishes of the increasingly diverse EV driverss.”
You also see a study overview and the full content list of the Bidirectional Charging Study.
You can find a picture of Axel Sprenger.
Company Abstract
USCALE is a consulting and market research company for electromobility based in Stuttgart, Germany. USCALE’s work is based on customer insights studies on all touchpoints of the e-mobility customer journey. USCALE is the only provider to have a panel specialized in e-mobility with over 10,000 panelists in German-speaking countries. USCALE studies show the pain points of users and the potential for all providers in the electromobility market.
Contact
USCALE GmbH, Silberburgstrasse 112, 70176 Stuttgart, GERMANY, media@uscale.digital