Nissan LEAF Arrives With Enhanced Bidirectional Charging With Fermata Energy FE-20 Charger

Nissan has approved the enhanced Fermata Energy FE-20 bidirectional charger for use with the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle (EV), solidifying the LEAF’s position as the only mass-produced EV in the United States (U.S.) capable of supplying energy back to the grid.

According to Nissan, the Fermata Energy FE-20 charger, which meets UL and CHAdeMO standards, offers a unique capability including the capability to charge the LEAF’s battery and send stored energy from the EV back to a building or power grid. As a result, this bidirectional functionality has the potential to offset peak energy demand and reduce electricity costs for users.

Moreover, a proof-of-concept trial at Nissan Americas Headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, displayed the EV technology’s effectiveness with the previous model, FE-15, which helped reduce electricity bills by over $9,450 over four years. This translates to nearly $2,000 in annual savings on average. 

In detail, the new FE-20 charger builds on its predecessor’s success with several improvements added in. These improvements entail 33% more power output, UL 1741-SA certification, support for IEEE 2030.5 for Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP) operation, optimized design for faster and less expensive manufacturing, and a lower retail cost.

Kent O’Hara, president of Nissan’s 4R battery business, expressed about the new EV technology for the LEAF stating, “The FE-20 is the latest generation Fermata Energy bidirectional charger and advanced, intelligent V2X software bringing enhanced technology and features that optimize the full bidirectional charger capabilities of Nissan LEAF.”

In terms of bidirectional charging technology, it has gained traction across the U.S. with over 30 proven Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) installations currently operating. These installations use Fermata Energy chargers with Nissan LEAF EVs, aiming to help fleets and dealerships optimize energy usage and reduce costs. Importantly, the use of the Fermata Energy FE-20 charger and V2X software platform does not impact the EV’s warranty.

Read More: EV 101: What Is Bidirectional Charging And How It Is Transforming EVs

As for the Nissan LEAF, it has held a special place in the EV market since 2013. As the first fully bidirectional-capable EV launched in the U.S., LEAF models from 2013 and later can send stored energy back to the grid during peak demand periods in certain states.

With the Nissan LEAF’s ability to act as a mobile energy storage unit, the enhanced bidirectional charging capabilities of the LEAF could pave the way for more widespread adoption of Vehicle-to-Grid technologies while saving costs for its EV owners.

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