Your electric vehicle isn't just for getting around anymore. With bidirectional charging technology, that battery sitting in your garage can power your house, support the grid, and potentially cut your energy bills. Welcome to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) - the tech that's changing how Australians think about energy storage.
Here's everything you need to know about using your EV as a giant mobile battery.
What is bidirectional EV charging?
Bidirectional EV charging flips the script on how EVs work with electricity. Instead of just taking power from the grid, your car can send power back. Think of it as your EV battery working both ways - storing energy when it's cheap and abundant, then releasing it when you need it most.
This technology covers three main uses:
- Vehicle-to-home (V2H): Your EV powers your house
- Vehicle-to-grid (V2G): Your EV sells energy back to the grid
- Vehicle-to-load (V2L): Your EV powers devices directly (camping, tools, etc.)
Vehicle to home: How V2H works
Vehicle to home is gaining serious momentum as homeowners realise their EV can double as home battery storage. Here's the basic setup:
Your EV charges during the day using excess solar from your rooftop panels. When evening hits and your panels stop producing, your V2H system automatically switches to power your home using the energy stored in your car battery. It's like having a massive battery that happens to have wheels.
How it works day-to-day:
- Morning: EV charges on cheap off-peak rates or solar
- Daytime: Solar panels top up your EV while parked
- Evening: EV powers your home during expensive peak hours
- Night: Cycle repeats with off-peak grid charging if needed
For perspective: the average Aussie household uses 18-20 kWh per day. A typical EV with a 60-80 kWh battery could power your home for 3-4 days during a blackout.
Understanding vehicle-to-grid technology
V2G programmes are expanding fast. Here's why: 1.5 million EVs are expected on Australian roads by 2030. If just 10% adopt V2G, they could meet 37% of the National Electricity Market's total storage needs.
How does V2G work?
V2G lets EV owners participate in energy markets by:
- Peak shaving: Selling stored energy when electricity prices spike
- Grid support: Providing rapid response services to maintain grid stability
- Renewable backup: Storing excess wind and solar when there's too much generation
- Emergency response: V2G tech has already been used during major blackouts in different states
The financial angle: Energy companies offer payments for V2G participation, creating income streams for EV owners willing to let their cars help balance the grid.
V2G compatible cars Australia: What works right now
V2G compatible cars are still a growing list, and manufacturer support varies. Here's what we know from recent testing:
From RedEarth testing:
- VW ID family (SW >3.5 and large battery) - Yes, 10.2kW max discharge
- Cupra Born (SW >3.5 and large battery) - Yes, ongoing testing
- Skoda Enyaq (SW >3.5 and large battery) - Yes, ongoing testing
- VW ID Buzz (SW >3.5 and large battery) - Yes, 10.2kW max discharge
- Polestar 2, 3, 4 - All confirmed working
- Kia EV9 & e-Niro - Both confirmed
- BYD Atto 3 - Confirmed working
- Ford Mach E - Yes, ongoing testing
- Volvo EX30 - Confirmed working
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 & Kona - Both confirmed
- Rivian R2, R3 - Yes, ongoing testing
- Tesla Model 3 Highland, Model 3, Model Y - Yes, 5kW max discharge
- Ford Explorer & Capri - Yes, 10kW max discharge
- BMW i4 M50 - Further tests needed
- Citroen Jumpy - Yes, external testing
- Aurora eSlad - Yes, confirmed
- MG MG4 - Yes, ongoing testing
- Fisker Ocean - Yes, 10kW confirmed
- Stellantis/Opel models - Yes, ongoing testing
- Maxxus eDelivery 5 - Yes, 10kW confirmed
- Various IVECO models - Yes, ongoing testing
- Ford E-Transit, E-Tourneo, E-Connect - Yes, ongoing testing
- Puma Gen-E & Explorer - Yes, ongoing testing
- Volkswagen E-Transporter - Yes, ongoing testing
The catch: Check with your manufacturer about warranty coverage. V2G policies are still evolving across brands.
The benefits: Why V2G & V2H make sense
Money in your pocket
- Lower bills: Use stored solar during expensive peak periods
- Grid payments: Earn money selling energy during high demand
- Time-of-use wins: Charge cheap, discharge expensive
- Real savings: Early adopters report 40-60% cuts to electricity bills
The Amber advantage: According to Dan Adams, Amber's co-CEO, V2G "basically combines everything we've built for our home battery automation program, with everything we've built for our EV smart charging product - to turn your electric vehicle into a very large home battery. And it'll allow you to unlock about $3,000 a year out of your car."
The process is straightforward: "You put into the Amber app, I want my car charged by 8am tomorrow morning. I never want the state of charge to go below 40%. Within those constraints, Amber, go and make me money out of my EV while it's sitting in my driveway."
Energy security
- Blackout backup: Essential appliances stay on during outages
- Solar optimisation: Store excess daytime production for evening use
- Grid relief: Less strain during peak demand
- Carbon reduction: Maximum renewable energy use
Practical wins
- Multi-day backup: Days of power during extended outages
- Remote power: V2L for camping and job sites
- Emergency prep: Power tools, medical devices, essential systems
- Community support: Help neighbours during grid failures
Installation: What you need to know
Technical requirements
- Power supply: Most homes fine with single-phase, some need three-phase
- Grid approval: Electricity retailer must OK your V2G connection
- Solar integration: Best results with existing solar and battery coordination
- Smart meter: Essential for monitoring and billing
The costs
Bidirectional chargers in Australia run $5,000-$10,000+ before installation, with installation adding another $2,000-$4,000 depending on complexity.
Prices should drop as more manufacturers compete and production scales up.
DC vs AC: Understanding the tech difference
DC-coupled systems
Connect directly to your EV's battery, bypassing the car's onboard charger:
- Higher efficiency: One power conversion = less energy loss
- Faster response: Direct DC connection for rapid transfers
- Solar friendly: Integrates well with existing DC solar
- Higher cost: More complex install and equipment
The challenges: What to expect
Current limitations
- High upfront costs: 3-5x more than standard EV chargers
- Limited options: Few certified chargers available yet
- Car compatibility: All EVs are capable, but not all are supported by warranty
- Warranty gaps: Some manufacturers haven't updated terms for V2G
- Regulation complexity: Grid requirements vary by state
Battery wear concerns
Early worries about extra battery cycling are being addressed. Modern EV batteries handle thousands of cycles, and V2G systems typically use only part of capacity, minimising wear impact.
What's coming: The V2G future in Australia
Recent CSIRO demonstrations of CCS2 bidirectional chargers with V2G vehicles show the tech is becoming commercially viable.
2025 developments
- More charger options: Multiple manufacturers launching certified products
- Price drops: Competition driving costs down 20-30%
- Manufacturer backing: More EV brands confirming V2G support
- Government incentives: Potential rebates and tariffs for V2G users
The long game
By 2030, bidirectional charging should be standard on most new EVs - like how regen braking became universal. This creates a massive distributed storage network supporting Australia's renewable transition.
Getting started with V2G & V2H
Step 1: Check compatibility
Confirm your EV supports bidirectional charging without voiding warranties.
Step 2: Crunch the numbers
Calculate daily energy use and potential savings from smart charging.
Step 3: Pick your focus
V2H for home backup or V2G for grid participation and income - what matters most?
Step 4: Find qualified installers
Work with electricians experienced in bidirectional tech and grid connections.
Step 5: Solar integration
Coordinate with existing or planned solar for maximum benefits.
Common questions
Q: Can any electric car do bidirectional charging? Not all EVs support it. Check manufacturer compatibility and warranty terms before installing.
Q: How much can V2H save me? Depends on energy use, solar setup, and local rates. Early users see 40-60% bill reductions.
Q: Is V2G actually available in Australia? Yes, it's legal as of 2025 with certified chargers entering the market throughout the year.
Q: Will this wreck my EV battery? Modern batteries handle thousands of cycles. V2G uses partial capacity, reducing wear vs full cycles.
Q: What happens in a blackout with V2H? Systems auto-switch to backup mode, powering essential circuits for days depending on battery size.
Ready to power your home with your EV?
V2G and V2H represent a fundamental shift towards energy independence and grid resilience. As Australia transitions to renewable energy, bidirectional EV charging will be crucial for a sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy system.
While upfront costs remain high, the combination of energy savings, backup power, and grid income makes bidirectional charging increasingly attractive for forward-thinking households. With expanding compatibility, improving tech, and supportive policies, 2025 marks the start of widespread V2G and V2H adoption.
The question isn't whether bidirectional charging will go mainstream - it's how quickly you want to join the energy revolution.
Want to be part of Australia's V2G future? Amber is running V2G trials for eligible participants to experience this tech firsthand.
Sign up for Amber's V2G trial here.
