The expansion adds Bidirectional Energy and PowerFlex as approved program partners, broadening the roster of automakers, charger manufacturers, and software providers that customers can choose from. It also brings EVs from Kia, Volvo, Polestar, and Nissan into the program for the first time, building on a list that already included vehicles from Ford, Tesla, Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac.
A Technology Built on Choice
PG&E’s V2X program offers financial incentives to customers who install bidirectional EV charging equipment, hardware that allows an EV battery to send power back out rather than simply drawing it in. That two-way flow means a parked car can supply backup power to a home during an outage, help a household manage its energy costs by shifting when it draws from the grid, or feed electricity back to PG&E during periods of high demand.
David Almeida, PG&E’s Director of Clean Energy Transportation, framed the expansion as fundamentally about broadening access. By adding more vehicle and charger combinations to the eligible list, he said, the utility is making it easier for customers to adopt the technology while giving their EVs a second job as a grid asset.
New Vehicles and Chargers Join the List
The newly eligible combinations reflect a mix of established and newer EV models paired with two bidirectional charger lines. The Nissan Leaf, in model years 2018 through 2025, can now participate when paired with a dcbel Ara charger, as can the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3, both 2025 models. Kia’s EV9, from model year 2024 onward, and its EV6, from 2025 onward, qualify for the program when paired with a Wallbox Quasar 2 charger.
Those particular pairings come with an added financial incentive: customers who choose them can qualify for up to $13,000 in additional support through California Energy Commission grant funding, on top of PG&E’s standard program incentives, subject to further eligibility requirements.
General Motors also picked up new entries on the eligible list as part of this expansion, with the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, the 2025-and-newer Cadillac Celestiq, and the 2025-and-newer Cadillac Escalade IQL now included alongside GM’s existing offerings. Customers can still participate using previously eligible vehicles from Ford, GM, and Tesla, though PG&E notes that capabilities vary depending on the specific vehicle and charger combination selected.
What It Means for Residential Customers
PG&E’s residential incentive structure remains a central piece of the program’s appeal. Customers who enroll can receive $2,500 upfront toward installation costs, with that figure rising to $3,000 for households located in disadvantaged communities. An additional $1,500 Early Adopter Incentive is available to the first 250 customers who enroll, adding urgency for those considering the switch.
For customers in designated disadvantaged communities, the combination of base incentives and early adoption bonuses can meaningfully lower the upfront cost of bidirectional charging equipment, which has historically been one of the biggest barriers to adoption. Enrollment in the program remains open through June 30, 2027, giving customers a substantial window to weigh their options as more vehicle and charger pairings continue to come online.
Beyond the Driveway: Commercial and Fleet Applications
PG&E’s push into bidirectional technology extends well beyond individual homeowners. The utility has already worked with school districts in Fremont, Oakland, and San Francisco to help transition their fleets to bidirectionally capable electric school buses, a shift with implications that reach past emissions reductions alone. Nationally, more than 90 percent of the country’s roughly 500,000 school buses still run on carbon-based fuels, a fleet that collectively releases over 8.4 million tons of greenhouse gases each year and exposes students and surrounding communities to diesel and gasoline exhaust.
Commercial customers looking to install bidirectional infrastructure can access their own incentive tiers. Installing a three-phase bidirectional charger rated below 50 kW qualifies for $2,500 upfront, rising to $3,000 in disadvantaged communities, while chargers rated at or above 50 kW qualify for $4,500 upfront, or $5,000 in disadvantaged communities.
A Growing Network of Partners
The addition of Bidirectional Energy and PowerFlex reflects the increasingly crowded ecosystem of companies building the software and hardware layer beneath vehicle-to-grid technology. PowerFlex, which describes itself as the largest installer of commercial solar in the country, already manages more than 70,000 EV chargers nationwide and is backed by EDF power solutions North America, Manulife Investments, and The Mobility House. Bidirectional Energy, a San Francisco-based software company, has positioned itself as building the operating system for residential vehicle-to-grid capability, connecting EVs, chargers, and utility programs so drivers can lower their energy costs and earn income by supporting the grid while retaining control over how and when their vehicles participate.
As more automakers build bidirectional capability directly into new EV models, and as utilities like PG&E continue to widen the door for participation, the vehicle-to-grid concept is shifting from a niche pilot project into something closer to a mainstream option for California drivers weighing their next EV purchase or charger upgrade. Customers interested in enrolling or checking eligibility for their specific vehicle and charger combination can find more information through PG&E’s Vehicle to Everything Pilot Programs page.