H.R. 6129 — Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging Act of 2025

This section directs the Secretary of Energy to develop a National Electric Vehicle Bidirectional Charging Roadmap (i.e., a plan to enable electric vehicles to send power back to the grid or buildings, in addition to receiving power) that includes (1) a timeline and strategy for increasing bidirectional charging development and use; (2) strategies and obstacles to such increases; (3) key actions for Congress to consider; and (4) cost estimates for slow, moderate, and fast paces of increase. The Secretary must submit the roadmap to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and publish it publicly, including on the Department of Energy website, not later than 12 months after enactment.

This section directs the Secretary of Energy, not later than two years after enactment, to issue regulations (1) establishing technical standards for electric vehicle manufacturers to standardize bidirectional charging technology (i.e., capability for electric vehicles to both draw power from and supply power to the electric grid or other uses) and (2) requiring all new electric vehicles manufactured beginning in model year 2029—including light-duty motor vehicles and school buses, subject to exemptions—to be capable of bidirectional charging. The section imposes civil penalties of up to $21,000 per violation (with a separate violation for each electric vehicle or item of equipment and each failure to comply, not to exceed $105 million for a related series of violations), which the Secretary may compromise considering factors such as the nature of the violation, the violator's knowledge and actions, business size, and prior penalties.

This section directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator to issue regulations requiring hazard mitigation plans submitted by states or local governments under section 322 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5165)—which must be approved for eligibility for an increased federal cost share of up to 20 percent (from 15 percent) under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program—to incorporate bidirectional charging capabilities (i.e., electric vehicle technology enabling power discharge to the grid or facilities during outages).

This section defines, for purposes of the Act, (1) bidirectional charging as the ability of an electric vehicle to receive energy from electric vehicle supply equipment and provide energy to an external load when paired with similarly capable equipment; and (2) electric vehicle as a vehicle designed to operate exclusively on electricity stored in a rechargeable battery, multiple batteries, or battery pack.