A long-awaited policy change in Australia is set to allow electric car owners to use their vehicle batteries to power their homes this Christmas. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen is expected to announce a standard for vehicle-to-grid technology at the Sydney International EV Show on Nov. 9, enabling electric cars to function as mobile household batteries.
This announcement follows prioritization of the technology by state and federal energy ministers in the Consumer Energy Roadmap, as well as studies conducted by the CSIRO and NRMA in October.
Vehicle-to-grid technology (V2G) involves connecting an electric car to a bi-directional charger in a garage. This allows the car’s battery to supply power to a home or feed excess energy back into the grid during peak demand periods.
Bowen emphasized that V2G technology empowers consumers to manage their energy resources effectively, enabling them to store energy generated by rooftop solar panels and determine when to utilize it.
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“Choosing an EV means more than just buying a car; it means investing in a mobile household battery,” Bowen explained. “This significant advancement offers consumers greater flexibility and control over their energy consumption.”
Despite widespread interest and previous trials in Australia, the technology had not been accessible to households due to the absence of regulatory standards. With the introduction of these rules, Bowen anticipates that the technology could be available to consumers within a few weeks.
“We have now established a revised standard that enables bi-directional charging in Australian homes,” Bowen stated. “If you own an EV with V2G capability and a bi-directional device, you could be utilizing your car to power your home by the end of this year.”
Bowen highlighted the necessity for approval from the Clean Energy Council for vehicles and chargers utilizing this technology, as well as clearance from distribution networks.
Several major automotive brands including Ford, Kia, XPENG, Audi, Nissan, Volkswagen, Cupra, and Mitsubishi already support vehicle-to-grid technology. Additionally, companies like Tesla have expressed interest in incorporating this feature in future models.
While V2G technology may be new to drivers, researchers have conducted various trials in Australia, such as a test at the Australian National University where 16 cars supplied power to the grid during a blackout. Furthermore, the CSIRO recently announced a V2G research project to assess the technology’s potential in powering homes, while NRMA, iMove, and the University of Technology Sydney initiated a project to explore public perceptions and implementation strategies in Australia.
A study commissioned by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and conducted by Energeia revealed that electric vehicle owners could potentially earn up to $12,000 (US$7,970) annually by connecting their vehicles to the grid and supplying electricity.
