Massachusetts is deploying bidirectional electric vehicle chargers to explore using EV batteries for backup power, self-consumption, and demand response, funded by the American Rescue Plan. The program aims to understand how electric buses and other vehicles can interact with the grid as EV adoption increases, offering significant revenue opportunities for vehicle owners. State- and utility-led bidirectional charging programs are becoming more common across the US, with the state's ConnectedSolutions virtual power plant providing generous compensation for owners of bidirectional-capable EVs. Despite concerns about balancing power needs with vehicle owner usage during demand response events, there is optimism that utilities will overcome obstacles and utilize the significant energy storage capacity of EV batteries to cover a meaningful fraction of vehicles on the road in Massachusetts.