The flexibility to put power back into the grid from an EV has expanded in Australia with a third power company adopting the program.
The technology has been touted as both a cost saver and adding flexibility to overcome one of the EV transitions biggest barriers, charging infrastructure.
The expanded offering means that innovative technology from Nissan and Mitsubishi that has the Leaf and Outlander equipped to hook up and return power to the grid could save owners more money.
The concept is for owners to charge their EVs at low price periods and put power back at peak times into the energy grid.
It also has storage options and the potential to charge a household during blackouts.
NSW distributor Ausgrid is th latest company to get on board with SA Power Networks in South Australia, where V2G and Essential Energy in NSW.
EV sales have grown steadily but have not reached the strong growth rates they showed in 2024 and have been largely supplanted by hybrids in the new vehicle market.
“Ausgrid currently allows V2G EV chargers on its network under the same rules as solar and battery installations,” Its website lists. “To be compatible, the charger must meet the AS/NZS4777.2 standard and be listed on the Clean Energy Council’s Approved Inverter List.
But it also highlights its future plans and other home options.
“We are researching the inclusion of V2G capabilities in all future kerbside chargers, helping more people benefit from this emerging technology.”
“In the future you could use it to absorb excess energy from your solar panels to use later, using the stored energy in your EV to run your appliances when needed.”