Electricity prices here in Australia can really vary, and often the cost spikes during peak times. Using our EV as a home battery means we can charge it when electricity is cheap—like during the day if we have solar panels—and then run our homes off that stored energy in the evening when prices are higher. This kind of load shifting can make a noticeable dent in our power bills.

It also gives us a sense of energy independence. With blackouts and extreme weather becoming more common, having our car battery as a backup power source can be a real lifesaver. On a bigger scale, when lots of us feed power back into the grid via V2G, it helps balance supply and demand, making the electricity system more reliable as we rely more on renewables like solar and wind.

What’s Happening with V2H and V2G in Australia?

Australia is actually leading the way in testing these technologies. For example, the Renewable Energy Vehicle Storage (REVS) project in Canberra used Nissan Leafs to see how EVs could support the grid while powering homes. There was also a trial in New South Wales where vehicles equipped with the CCS2 plug both soaked up solar energy and sent power back to homes and the grid.

One of the biggest challenges is the hardware. Regular EV chargers only allow power to flow one way—into the car. For V2H or V2G, we need bidirectional chargers that can also send power back out. These chargers are still quite expensive here—typically $8,000 to $10,000 or more before installation. Some products, like the Wallbox Quasar, were sold here but are now discontinued, while others like SigenStor combine battery storage with EV charging. South Australia is ahead in approving these systems, with other states starting to follow.

Which EVs in Australia Support Bidirectional Charging?

Right now, most EVs on Australian roads don’t support bidirectional charging, even if they use the common CCS2 plug. The Nissan Leaf is the most well-known model that supports this, and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV also offers V2H capability. Some manufacturers like BYD and Hyundai are starting to introduce models with Vehicle-to-Load features, and hopefully, more fully bidirectional vehicles will arrive soon.

It’s important to remember that just because a vehicle supports bidirectional charging overseas doesn’t mean it’s ready or approved for use with the Australian grid yet. Our local electricity networks still have to approve these systems to ensure safety and compatibility.

What’s Holding Us Back?

We can’t ignore the fact that cost is a big barrier. Bidirectional chargers and their installation can easily top $10,000, which is a big upfront investment. On top of that, there are still regulatory hurdles to overcome. Not all Australian electricity networks allow exporting electricity from EVs back to the grid, and getting approvals can be tricky depending on where we live. South Australia and the ACT are more advanced in this area, while other states are still working on it.

Many of us also worry about battery degradation. Will cycling our EV battery to power the home wear it out faster? Research shows the effect is minimal—about a 0.3% increase in degradation annually—and some studies even suggest that managed charging can keep batteries healthier over time.

Why Pair Our EV Battery with Solar?

If we have solar panels, this is where things get really interesting. Instead of sending excess solar energy back to the grid at low feed-in tariffs (sometimes as low as 5 to 10 cents per kilowatt-hour), we can charge our EV with that solar power. Then, at night, we use the EV battery to power our homes, avoiding buying expensive electricity from the grid that can cost 30 to 50 cents per kilowatt-hour.

This approach means we get better value from our solar investment and reduce our reliance on the grid. It’s a smart way to save money and use clean energy more efficiently.

Are There Incentives or Rebates Available?

At the moment, Australia doesn’t have specific rebates for V2H or V2G systems. However, some states, like Victoria and South Australia, offer battery rebates that could help if we combine V2H technology with home battery storage.

Looking ahead, organisations like ARENA and the RACE for 2030 initiative expect over 300,000 V2G-enabled EVs on Australian roads by 2030. There’s also a push for local manufacturing of bidirectional chargers, which should bring costs down. Electricity networks are updating connection standards and making approval processes smoother, so we can expect it to become easier to connect these systems.

Should We Get a Bidirectional Charger Now?

If we already own a Nissan Leaf or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, have solar panels, and live somewhere our electricity network allows exporting power back to the grid, it might be worth exploring V2H or V2G now. We just need to be aware of the upfront cost and the extra approvals involved.

For most of us though, it’s perfectly fine to wait. New EV models with bidirectional charging are arriving, charger prices will drop, and network regulations will become clearer and more supportive. Waiting a year or two could save us money and hassle.