Electric car owners in parts of New South Wales can now sell power back to the energy grid, thanks to an expansion of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
Ausgrid, the largest electricity distributor in NSW, has joined the rollout. It serves 1.7 million homes across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley. Ausgrid is now the third energy provider in Australia to support V2G, following SA Power Networks in South Australia and Essential Energy in regional NSW.
V2G allows certain electric vehicles (EVs) to send energy from their batteries back into the grid, helping reduce electricity demand during peak times. Drivers can charge their car at night when power is cheaper, then sell energy back to the grid during the day when prices are higher.
This can act as a second income stream for EV owners and also reduce the need for home battery systems.
“Customers can use their EV batteries to sell excess energy back to the grid during peak times and recharge at off-peak rates, creating an additional source of income,” said Ausgrid’s Group Executive for Distributed Services, Rob Amphlett Lewis.
“V2G transforms EVs into more than just a transportation tool – for customers who are interested, they can become income-generating assets and energy-management systems, enhancing the overall value and practicality of owning an EV.”
Some EV owners with solar panels can also store unused solar energy in their vehicles and sell it later when electricity prices are higher, instead of sending it back to the grid for a small return.
Slow Rollout Despite Interest
Although V2G is growing, the technology is still limited to just a few car models in Australia. At the moment, only the Nissan Leaf and some Mitsubishi plug-in hybrids like the Outlander and Eclipse Cross support it. These cars use the CHAdeMO plug type, which is different from the CCS2 plug used by most modern EVs.
There are also challenges in rolling out the service nationwide. Energy companies, car makers, and governments all need to approve hardware, software, and standards before V2G can become widely available.
Government Backing for the Future
In November 2024, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced new standards for both vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home (V2H) systems at the Sydney International EV AutoShow.
At the time, Bowen said he expected the technology to be in use by the end of the year. V2H allows an electric vehicle to power a home during a blackout, adding another layer of energy support for households.
While the rollout is still in the early stages, supporters believe V2G can play a big role in lowering power bills, supporting the energy grid, and helping more people get value out of their electric vehicles.
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