Electric vehicles (EVs) pack large batteries — often 60–100 kWh — and the idea of using that storage to power your home or sell power back to the grid is hugely attractive. That’s Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). V2G promises new revenue streams, backup power, and smarter grid interaction. But is it ready for most homeowners in Australia today?
This guide from SolarThoughts® explains how V2G works, where the tech really is right now, the big technical and regulatory hurdles, and practical advice on whether you should buy a V2G-capable charger today.
What is V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) in plain terms?
V2G lets your car’s battery discharge energy back to your home or the grid — so the EV becomes a mobile battery you can use for evening peaks or to sell power when wholesale prices spike. A typical mid-range EV can hold the equivalent of multiple home batteries, so the potential is obvious: use low-cost electricity to charge, then discharge during high-price periods.
Financial upside: how people expect to make money
Common strategies proposed:
- Charge at cheap/negative wholesale prices (midday or late night) and discharge during high-price peaks (evening).
- Participate in programs or retailer schemes paying for exported power during scarcity.
- Avoid retail peak pricing by running your home from the car during expensive windows.
Those moves can be profitable, but actual returns depend on tariffs, export limits, eligibility for VPPs, and whether your EV manufacturer and insurer are comfortable with the extra cycles on the car battery.
Where V2G stands in Australia ?
Progress exists — standards and pilots are moving forward — but full mainstream rollout is not yet complete. Some vehicle models or niche hardware already enable bidirectional flows in trials or specialised installs, and industry bodies are prototyping commercial programs. However, broad consumer-ready V2G still faces important hurdles (see below).
Main hurdles & why V2G isn’t yet plug-and-play
1. Network & export capacity limits
Local network connection rules often cap how much inverter/charging capacity you can have and how quickly you can export to the grid. Many residential connections limit sustained export (e.g., ~5 kW standard export), while dynamic or larger export approvals are possible but complex. These caps can limit the financial value of dumping EV energy to the grid at peak rates.
2. Warranty & manufacturer support
Most major car manufacturers haven’t yet guaranteed that frequent V2G cycling won’t impact battery warranties. That creates real consumer risk: extra degradation could be blamed on “non-approved” use. Always confirm manufacturer and warranty terms before using V2G commercially.
3. AC vs DC architectural debate (compatibility & cost)
- AC V2G relies on the car’s onboard inverter to do two-way conversion; it’s cheaper at the charger end but requires the car’s onboard unit to be certified/approved for bidirectional flow.
- DC V2G uses an external high-power inverter (costly, but more manufacturer-agnostic). DC V2G hardware is expensive and bulky, often costing many thousands of dollars for the high-power inverter unit. Both approaches have pros and cons — and the market hasn’t converged on one standard yet.
4. Standards & compatibility (communication protocols)
Standards like ISO 15118-20 (communication “handshake” for V2G) are emerging, but adoption is uneven. Even if a charger claims support, it might not work with every vehicle unless both sides support the same protocol/version. Expect a period of fragmented compatibility where certain chargers work only with certain vehicle brands/models.
5. Connection & certification complexity
If V2G uses the car’s onboard inverter, that component may require local certification (Clean Energy Council or similar) for exports — this is complex for global vehicle makers and could slow support for some cars.
Practical examples & early adopters
A small number of vehicles and solutions are already V2G-enabled in specific setups (some trial projects and specialist DC solutions). These prove the concept, but they aren’t yet turnkey for the average homeowner without careful planning and possibly expensive hardware.
Our recommendation: don’t rush to buy a dedicated V2G charger—future-proof instead.
Given the current state of regulation, warranty uncertainty, and compatibility fragmentation, SolarThoughts® recommends not rushing to buy a dedicated V2G charger right now — unless you are part of a well-run pilot or your EV manufacturer explicitly supports V2G with warranty protection.
Future-proof your EV charger installation today
- Oversize the cable run: when wiring your charger, run the largest practical cable from the meter to the charger location today. If you later switch to a high-power V2G unit, replacing the charger will be cheap compared with re-running cabling.
- Install a quality, smart AC charger now: pick a reputable brand with smart solar-integration features (solar-first charging, tariff scheduling, load management). This gets you immediate benefits (use excess solar, cheap off-peak charging) and avoids sunk cost on niche hardware.
- Add a modest home battery if you need guaranteed backup: home batteries and V2G are complementary — a small battery gives immediate backup and reduces wear on your car battery.
- Plan for a V2G upgrade path: ensure the site layout, switchboard space, and earthing arrangements make a future DC or AC bidirectional integration straightforward.
Charger selection guidance
Choose trusted, smart AC chargers from established brands that offer:
- Solar export/solar-first modes
- Time-of-use scheduling
- Manufacturer reliability and local support
Avoid cheap, unsupported chargers. They rarely give the control or reliability you’ll want when you add more complex features later.
Why home batteries still make sense alongside V2G plans
- A home battery provides guaranteed evening peaks and short blackouts even when your car is away.
- Batteries reduce cycling on your EV (which may protect your car warranty and longevity).
- In many tariff setups, it’s cheaper to charge EVs overnight from off-peak grid rates than to drain an expensive home battery solely to avoid small peak charges.
A balanced setup — small home battery + smart EV charger + V2G-ready wiring — gives immediate benefits and an easy upgrade path.
Quick checklist
- Don’t buy a full V2G system unless your EV maker and installer explicitly back it with a warranty and certification.
- Install a high-quality smart AC charger now (solar features + time scheduling).
- Oversized cable runs and leave space in the switchboard for future hardware.
- Consider a modest home battery for reliable backup and to reduce EV battery cycling.
- Watch for local network rules and dynamic connection options — talk to your distributor/retailer before investing in V2G hardware.
V2G is highly promising — it will reshape how homes and grids interact. But in 2025, the tech and regulations are still maturing. For most homeowners in South-East Queensland, the sensible path is prepare now, buy smart today, upgrade later. Focus on quality smart chargers, oversized electrical infrastructure, and a small home battery if you need immediate resilience. When standards, warranties, and network rules settle, you’ll be ready to switch to V2G without a costly retrofit.
If you’d like, SolarThoughts® can:
- review your switchboard & wiring for future V2G readiness,
- Recommend a smart charger and cable size to future-proof your home, or
- Do a cost-benefit check based on your current tariff and EV model.
Contact SolarThoughts® for a site-specific V2G readiness plan across Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast.
