New two-way EV chargers offer glimpse into Boulder's energy future
Bidirectional chargers allow the apartment building to draw energy from EV batteries to save on electricity costs.
boulderreportinglab.orgHere’s the latest I can confirm about Boulder Electric Vehicle (BEV) from recent public coverage and official Boulder sources:
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BEV has been part of Boulder’s broader effort to expand access to electric mobility, including pilots that use two-way (bidirectional) charging and partnerships with car-share programs to subsidize memberships for residents in affordable housing. This approach aims to both broaden access and explore grid benefits from EVs. These pilots were described by city officials in mid-2024 as a step toward equitable EV access and grid resilience.[1][2]
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The pilots included two Nissan LEAF vehicles under the Colorado CarShare program and bi-directional chargers designed to exchange energy between the EVs and the building, rather than just drawing power from the grid. City officials and partner organizations highlighted potential savings for participants and broader grid stability benefits.[2][1]
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Local outlets reported that the program received support from Xcel Energy in the form of rebates and funding for charger installation, with the city underwriting Colorado CarShare memberships. The program was framed as a proof-of-concept for broader municipal integration of EVs into energy strategies.[3][2]
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There has been ongoing reporting about Boulder’s EV charging infrastructure and related efforts to expand charging access county-wide, including grants for additional charging stations and discussions about the role of EVs in grid resilience. While not all articles focus on BEV specifically, they reflect the city’s continued interest in expanding EV use and charging options as part of climate and resilience goals.[7]
Would you like a brief, itemized timeline of the key milestones from these reports, or a quick summary of what bidirectional charging means for households and the grid? I can also pull the latest official Boulder page updates if you’d like exact dates and quotes.