Electric Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology revolutionizes power distribution: My personal take on its impact on my energy-dependent life

In a significant stride towards renewable energy, Australia is moving closer to the approval and standardization of bidirectional, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging. This development, which promises to revolutionize the energy sector, is being driven by emerging government policy support, industry advocacy, and technological advancements.

Dr Philippa England, a retired lecturer from Griffith University and a home energy enthusiast, has been a vocal advocate for this shift. She recently urged electric vehicle (EV) owners to embrace the upcoming storage tsunami that V2G technology represents.

The journey began three years ago when the writer's husband brought home a new electric vehicle. Since then, the writer's home solar system has undergone an upgrade from a 1.5 kW to a 10 kW system, and a Sigenstor modular battery array was installed. This battery, equipped with a 12.5 kW DC charger for EVs, has transformed the economics of the writer's investment.

Initially, the electric vehicle was charged at 2.4 kW per hour. However, with the addition of the battery on wheels, the writer can now feed in 40-50 kWh per night, a significant increase from the previous 8 kWh. This transformation has been facilitated by the Sigenstor DC charger, which has been approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and Energy Queensland for bi-directional charging.

The writer now has two electric vehicles in the garage, one of which does very little driving. The addition of V2G capability to their DC charger means they can now participate in load shifting, a practice that benefits both the grid and consumers. In fact, the writer now receives an additional three hours of free midday charging from AGL's Ovo for EVs offering.

Minister Bowen's approval of V2G charging standards is a testament to the government's commitment to this technology. However, challenges remain, particularly in terms of compatibility with the large installed base of older CHAdeMO EVs. As it stands, the older V2G-compatible EVs in Australia, such as the Nissan Leaf, use the CHAdeMO plug standard, which is being phased out globally in favor of the CCS2 (Combined Charging System 2) standard. This poses compatibility issues for existing owners of about 30,000 Nissan Leafs and others.

Despite these hurdles, modelling shows that widespread V2G adoption could greatly benefit the grid and consumers by reducing electricity costs and providing energy storage capacity comparable to major power stations. The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has been actively pushing for government support and rebates for V2G chargers to accelerate adoption. They advocate for including V2G chargers in Australia's home battery rebate program, aiming to make bidirectional charging more affordable and accessible for consumers.

The release of a National Roadmap for Bidirectional EV Charging earlier in 2025 outlines government and industry actions needed to enable vehicle batteries to power homes and feed energy back into Australia's grid. This indicates formal recognition and planning at the federal level, although actual network integration remains complex due to local connection policies and smart-grid architectures.

As Australia moves towards CCS2-based V2G charger approval and standardization, it's clear that the practical rollout and compatibility with the large installed base of older CHAdeMO EVs remain limited as of mid-2025. Wider adoption depends on successful integration of standards, increased availability of compatible vehicles and chargers, and regulatory frameworks supporting bidirectional grid services.

Sources: [1] Electric Vehicle Council (2025). Australia's Electric Vehicle Market Outlook 2025. [2] Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (2025). National Roadmap for Bidirectional EV Charging. [3] Clean Energy Council (2025). Australia's Electric Vehicle Market Outlook 2025. [4] Electric Vehicle Council (2025). Policy Priorities for Electric Vehicles in Australia.

The renewable energy industry is being propelled forward by advancements in technology, such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging, which is moving closer to approval and standardization in Australia.
Dr Philippa England, a retired lecturer and home energy enthusiast, is advocating for the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and V2G technology, citing their potential to revolutionize sustainable living and energy finance.
Thewriter's home, equipped with a solar system upgrade, Sigenstor modular battery array, and an approved Sigenstor DC charger for EVs, is a testament to the economic benefits of this renewable energy lifestyle.
Ministor Bowen's approval of V2G charging standards signals the government's commitment to sustainable living and technology, but challenges remain, including compatibility issues with older CHAdeMO EVs.
The Electric Vehicle Council is campaigning for government support and rebates for V2G chargers as a means to overcome these compatibility issues and make bidirectional charging more affordable and accessible for consumers.

Electric Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology revolutionizes power distribution: My personal take on its impact on my energy-dependent life