Are Aussie drivers missing out on $250 a day with this simple car change?
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Imagine if your car could do more than just get you from A to B—what if it could power your home, help keep the lights on during a blackout, and even put a tidy sum of cash back in your pocket?
Well, for Aussie drivers, that future is closer than you might think, thanks to a game-changing technology called vehicle-to-grid (V2G).
What is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and why should you care?
Electricity providers believe vehicle-to-grid (V2G) connections will transform how energy is produced and consumed across Australia—with the potential for electric vehicles (EVs) to power homes during blackouts and even generate extra income for their owners.
That vision is becoming more attainable as supporting infrastructure begins to match technological innovation.
In recent months, EV drivers have shared their experiences using both V2G and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) systems, which enable the two-way flow of energy between EVs, the grid, and homes. Some early adopters have successfully powered appliances, other EVs, and even a school’s server room.
This month, Ausgrid, the largest electricity distributor in Australia, servicing over four million people in New South Wales, confirmed the successful connection of a working V2G system at a depot in Artarmon, Sydney.
The achievement marks a key step in proving that V2G is now a safe and viable option at the distributor level. While not all customers can access it immediately, the technology is no longer theoretical—and Ausgrid is preparing to scale it across its wider network.
Nick Black, Head of Ausgrid's EVC and Infrastructure Development, told Yahoo News that more V2G chargers will enter the Australian market soon. ‘Any Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved equipment may be installed by customers using an accredited service provider (ASP),’ he said.
‘For a customer who is able to install a charger at home, the added V2G capability can give them an additional revenue stream and is another reason to purchase an electric vehicle.’
If a charger meets the criteria and is installed by a qualified professional, it can be safely connected.
‘Eventually, V2G equipment will be CEC approved and then available for any customer to apply,’ Black said. ‘Ausgrid can approve devices that have an AS1477.2 [charger] for connection to its network.’
Black also highlighted the strong financial prospects of V2G, especially in Australia's competitive retail energy market. By charging their EVs with cheap solar power during the day and feeding energy back to the grid during peak hours, customers can either earn money or cut their electricity bills.
Amber Electric recently reported that one customer made $255 in a single day in June by exporting energy during high-price periods. ‘That $255.08 was earned by a single EV at one location, in one evening, using the StarCharge charger,’ an Amber spokesperson told Yahoo.
‘The amount of battery storage that will ultimately exist in the batteries in our cars will dwarf all other forms of grid-connected storage,’ he said. ‘Unlocking V2G will drive down energy costs for everyone (not just the EV drivers), enable us to close coal and gas-fired power stations sooner, and make our energy system more reliable and resilient.’
Still, some warn of serious risks if safety isn’t prioritised. Canberra-based mechanic Saffy Sgroi cautioned that improper V2V use could be dangerous. ‘Safety is the number one concern,’ she said. ‘We're talking about working with a huge battery here. You've got 400 kilowatts of battery running — they can fry you. If you do the wrong thing, you're gone.’
‘Manufacturers have been testing to ensure that they are confident in using V2G for specific EV models,’ he said. ‘Ultimately, the vehicle's battery management system will protect the battery, and the power levels for V2G are much more gentle than driving a vehicle or fast charging it.’
Fatima Bazzi, Head of Customer Connections at Ausgrid, described the recent announcement as a "game-changer".
‘We are excited to see how this technology will enable our customers to take a more active role in the energy ecosystem, turning their electric vehicles into a valuable resource that can support their homes and earn them income,’ she said.
‘This means we can better manage network stress, improve overall grid performance, and potentially defer costly infrastructure upgrades, ultimately benefiting all our customers.’
Aussie Milestone: V2G Goes Live in Sydney
This month, Ausgrid—Australia’s largest electricity distributor—announced a major breakthrough. They’ve successfully connected a working V2G system to their network at a depot in Artarmon, Sydney.
Nick Black, Head of Ausgrid’s EVC and Infrastructure Development, says several V2G chargers will hit the Australian market in the coming months, with more competition (and hopefully lower prices) on the way.
He says, ‘For a customer who is able to install a charger at home, the added V2G capability can give them an additional revenue stream and is another reason to purchase an electric vehicle.’
If you’re keen, you’ll need a charger that’s either Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved or meets Australian safety standards and is approved by your local distributor. And, of course, you’ll need a qualified installer.
‘Eventually, V2G equipment will be CEC approved and then available for any customer to apply,’ he said. ‘Ausgrid can approve devices that have an AS1477.2 [charger] for connection to its network.’
Are you excited about the idea of your car earning you money or powering your home? Would you consider switching to an EV for the chance to take advantage of V2G? Or does the thought of high-voltage batteries make you a bit nervous? We’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below!
Well, for Aussie drivers, that future is closer than you might think, thanks to a game-changing technology called vehicle-to-grid (V2G).
What is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and why should you care?
Electricity providers believe vehicle-to-grid (V2G) connections will transform how energy is produced and consumed across Australia—with the potential for electric vehicles (EVs) to power homes during blackouts and even generate extra income for their owners.
That vision is becoming more attainable as supporting infrastructure begins to match technological innovation.
In recent months, EV drivers have shared their experiences using both V2G and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) systems, which enable the two-way flow of energy between EVs, the grid, and homes. Some early adopters have successfully powered appliances, other EVs, and even a school’s server room.
This month, Ausgrid, the largest electricity distributor in Australia, servicing over four million people in New South Wales, confirmed the successful connection of a working V2G system at a depot in Artarmon, Sydney.
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is now proven to be safe and viable in Australia, with Ausgrid successfully connecting a working V2G system to its Sydney network and preparing for broader rollout. Image source: Michael Fousert / Unsplash.
The achievement marks a key step in proving that V2G is now a safe and viable option at the distributor level. While not all customers can access it immediately, the technology is no longer theoretical—and Ausgrid is preparing to scale it across its wider network.
Nick Black, Head of Ausgrid's EVC and Infrastructure Development, told Yahoo News that more V2G chargers will enter the Australian market soon. ‘Any Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved equipment may be installed by customers using an accredited service provider (ASP),’ he said.
‘For a customer who is able to install a charger at home, the added V2G capability can give them an additional revenue stream and is another reason to purchase an electric vehicle.’
How does V2G help customers save?
Currently, only specific chargers, either CEC-certified or meeting Australian safety standards and approved by Ausgrid, can be used in its network. Each distributor has its own requirements.If a charger meets the criteria and is installed by a qualified professional, it can be safely connected.
‘Eventually, V2G equipment will be CEC approved and then available for any customer to apply,’ Black said. ‘Ausgrid can approve devices that have an AS1477.2 [charger] for connection to its network.’
Black also highlighted the strong financial prospects of V2G, especially in Australia's competitive retail energy market. By charging their EVs with cheap solar power during the day and feeding energy back to the grid during peak hours, customers can either earn money or cut their electricity bills.
Amber Electric recently reported that one customer made $255 in a single day in June by exporting energy during high-price periods. ‘That $255.08 was earned by a single EV at one location, in one evening, using the StarCharge charger,’ an Amber spokesperson told Yahoo.
What are the risks?
Ross De Rango, Head of Energy and Infrastructure at the Australian Electric Vehicle Council, said V2G has the potential to reshape the energy landscape. But he stressed the need for drivers to educate themselves before using the technology.‘The amount of battery storage that will ultimately exist in the batteries in our cars will dwarf all other forms of grid-connected storage,’ he said. ‘Unlocking V2G will drive down energy costs for everyone (not just the EV drivers), enable us to close coal and gas-fired power stations sooner, and make our energy system more reliable and resilient.’
Still, some warn of serious risks if safety isn’t prioritised. Canberra-based mechanic Saffy Sgroi cautioned that improper V2V use could be dangerous. ‘Safety is the number one concern,’ she said. ‘We're talking about working with a huge battery here. You've got 400 kilowatts of battery running — they can fry you. If you do the wrong thing, you're gone.’
What lies ahead?
To address safety concerns, Black said Ausgrid has focused heavily on ensuring the installation process is secure and that the ‘V2G charger does not present a hazard’ to customers or workers.‘Manufacturers have been testing to ensure that they are confident in using V2G for specific EV models,’ he said. ‘Ultimately, the vehicle's battery management system will protect the battery, and the power levels for V2G are much more gentle than driving a vehicle or fast charging it.’
Fatima Bazzi, Head of Customer Connections at Ausgrid, described the recent announcement as a "game-changer".
‘We are excited to see how this technology will enable our customers to take a more active role in the energy ecosystem, turning their electric vehicles into a valuable resource that can support their homes and earn them income,’ she said.
‘This means we can better manage network stress, improve overall grid performance, and potentially defer costly infrastructure upgrades, ultimately benefiting all our customers.’
Aussie Milestone: V2G Goes Live in Sydney
This month, Ausgrid—Australia’s largest electricity distributor—announced a major breakthrough. They’ve successfully connected a working V2G system to their network at a depot in Artarmon, Sydney.
Nick Black, Head of Ausgrid’s EVC and Infrastructure Development, says several V2G chargers will hit the Australian market in the coming months, with more competition (and hopefully lower prices) on the way.
He says, ‘For a customer who is able to install a charger at home, the added V2G capability can give them an additional revenue stream and is another reason to purchase an electric vehicle.’
If you’re keen, you’ll need a charger that’s either Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved or meets Australian safety standards and is approved by your local distributor. And, of course, you’ll need a qualified installer.
‘Eventually, V2G equipment will be CEC approved and then available for any customer to apply,’ he said. ‘Ausgrid can approve devices that have an AS1477.2 [charger] for connection to its network.’
Are you excited about the idea of your car earning you money or powering your home? Would you consider switching to an EV for the chance to take advantage of V2G? Or does the thought of high-voltage batteries make you a bit nervous? We’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below!
