V2G technology probably presents the most interesting novelty in the context of EV, where not just charging occurs through the grid but discharging also goes to the grid—the two-way energy flow that seems to unlock high potential to grid stability and significantly lowers the price of energy at a transition for renewable energies. But then, in Australia, even though the technology of V2G is now under tests, so far a number of cars are placed on electric car supplied or, for this matter of concern, has scope towards this aspect. Vehicle to grid, or ‘V2G’ as manufacturers use for shorthand, is a technology which lets you use an electric car battery to power your home (sometimes called V2H or vehicle to home) or sell energy back into the power grid.

Some cars, particularly the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander, have technically been capable of supporting this two-way-charging tech for some time, but there haven’t been regulation-supported standards in place.

Here is the current and future lineup of vehicles in Australia with V2G capabilities:

1. Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf was one of the first cars to be developed with V2G technology and is still one of the most accessible EVs that has this functionality. Nissan has been actively testing and deploying V2G systems in several countries, including Japan and Europe. The Leaf is equipped with the necessary hardware for bidirectional charging, but in Australia, this is still in the trial phase.

As of 2024, the Nissan Leaf is available in Australia, but V2G support here is limited to specific trials and partnerships with local energy companies. If you’re interested in V2G, it’s important to check whether your local infrastructure and charging systems support it.

2. Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the latest electric cars with cutting-edge technology, capable of bidirectional charging, which could eventually unlock V2G capabilities. Hyundai has been very active in implementing V2G into its new models, but in the case of the Ioniq 5, while the hardware is in place, software and infrastructure are still under refinement to enable full V2G operations.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is available in Australia, and Hyundai is committed to enabling V2G in various regions. As of 2024, however, V2G functionality in Australia is still a work in progress, depending on the availability of compatible chargers and energy networks.

3. Kia EV6

As a twin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 offers the necessary kit for V2G. The vehicle boasts of bi-directional charging; it is supposedly able to feed electricity back to the grid once the technology is available in the market.

The Kia EV6 is on the market in Australia, although the car technically is V2G-ready, and Australian buyers must wait for dedicated infrastructure and software updates for full V2G activation. Kia, similar to Hyundai, is also studying the possibilities of V2G in markets such as Australia.

4. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi has also been experimenting with V2G technology, particularly in its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the Outlander PHEV. While it’s primarily a plug-in hybrid, Mitsubishi’s V2G trials in other countries, such as Japan and the UK, have shown that the Outlander PHEV is capable of providing power back to the grid. However, this feature is still in development for the Australian market.

The Outlander PHEV is available in Australia, but the V2G functionality is still not that wide. There’s a fact worth mentioning here; Australian trials and future model updates may incorporate V2G functions, but that’s not what it offers as of now.

5. BYD Atto 3

BYD, a Chinese automobile manufacturer aggressively expanding its market in Australia, has announced some of its models, including the BYD Atto 3, will possess V2G capabilities. While the Atto 3 is not yet fully V2G-capable in the Australian market, BYD already demonstrated its capability to perform bi-directional charging in Europe and Asian markets.

The BYD Atto 3 is the most popular of the new electric vehicles in Australia, but its V2G functionality has yet to be mainstreamed. Once BYD rolls out its electric vehicle lineup and charging infrastructure, the support for V2G is likely to grow.

6. Tesla – Limited Support

Tesla’s cars, including the Model 3, Model Y, and Model S, are not natively V2G-capable. However, Tesla’s Powerwall and the company’s energy ecosystem are designed to support energy storage and grid services. In some trials, Tesla vehicles have been used to support grid stabilization, but full V2G support is not yet a standard feature.

Tesla’s EVs are available in Australia and generally come with energy projects, but full functionality V2G is not currently available. There have been reports of work done by Tesla to enable V2G through software updates or new hardware but have yet to be confirmed.

7. Other Manufacturers and Future Possibilities

Other car companies such as BMW, Ford, and Audi are also researching their next generation of electric vehicles based on V2G technology. While the above manufacturers are interested, these will be based on local testing, regulatory acceptance, and preparedness of local infrastructure for full functionality in Australia.

Challenges to V2G in Australia

Despite the promising technology of V2G, several obstacles must be overcome to make it widely adopted across Australia:

1. Infrastructure: The most critical component for V2G to work efficiently is bidirectional charging infrastructure. These are relatively not well spread throughout Australia yet.
2. Regulations: In general, the regulation is still undergoing changes regarding V2G. It will hold the potential for successful large-scale adoption in the long run due to the initiation of some pilot projects; however, their coordination in practice will be highly anticipated among all the auto makers, the energy supply chain, and even government sectors.

Still, most Australians are yet to understand what V2G is. The future of the V2G technology will thus depend on educating and creating awareness.

Australia is on the verge of a V2G revolution. However, there is still a long way before it becomes popular.

For instance, the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are just some of the cars that are paving the way, and V2G is slowly being made available through changes in infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. What Australia needs for consumers to effectively utilize V2G technology is a partnership between carmakers, governments, and energy companies to make it accessible and economically viable on an industrial scale. With the advancement of this technology, it is likely to make interactions between the Australians and their cars with the grid in the future revolutionary. This could therefore open up new doors for energy storage and demand management in the cleaner and greener future.