The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has significantly expanded its commitment to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology, injecting an additional AUD $13.6 million into Amber Electric’s pioneering residential V2G trial. This funding boost, announced in late May and early June 2026, increases ARENA’s total support for the project to AUD $16.8 million. While the initial announcement is a few months old, its implications are becoming increasingly relevant as Amber Electric targets a commercial V2G product launch later in 2026, positioning Australia at the forefront of integrating electric vehicles as flexible energy assets.
The expanded trial will see the number of households participating with V2G capability surge from 50 to 1,000, with smart charging participation also doubling from 950 to 2,000 homes. This substantial scale-up is designed to generate crucial insights into customer behaviour, technology performance, and market integration, which will inform future policy settings and industry investment.
Unlocking Your EV’s Energy Potential
V2G technology allows compatible electric vehicles to not only draw power from the grid but also to export stored energy back into it, or directly to a home (V2H). This bidirectional flow of electricity offers substantial benefits for both EV owners and the broader energy network. Owners can charge their EVs when electricity prices are low or when rooftop solar generation is abundant, then discharge power during peak demand periods to reduce household energy bills or even earn revenue by selling electricity back to the grid.
Amber Electric’s Co-CEO, Chris Thompson, highlighted the potential for significant savings, noting that one South Australian customer reportedly earned AUD $500 in a single afternoon during a heatwave by exporting power from their EV. This demonstrates the tangible financial incentives driving interest in V2G capabilities.
“One EV stores five and a half times more energy than a typical home battery. This expanded trial moves vehicle-to-grid from theory to action — the largest residential rollout in the country, proving on real driveways what’s been possible on paper for years.”
This sentiment, shared by EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio, underscores the transformative potential of EVs acting as mobile energy storage systems. The benefits extend beyond individual savings, as thousands of EVs feeding power back into the grid at peak times can help stabilise the network and put downward pressure on costs for all consumers.
V2G vs V2H: Key Differences and Benefits
While often used interchangeably, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) offer distinct functionalities:
| Feature | Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) | Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Exports electricity to the wider electricity grid. | Supplies electricity directly to the connected home. |
| Benefits | Grid stability, revenue generation from grid services. | Self-consumption of solar, backup power during outages. |
| Market Impact | Helps balance supply and demand, supports renewable integration. | Reduces reliance on grid, lowers household electricity bills. |
| Complexity | Requires grid operator approval and market participation. | Simpler setup, primarily for personal energy management. |
For Australian households considering how to leverage their EV, understanding these distinctions is crucial. V2H can offer immediate benefits like powering your home during a blackout or maximising the use of your rooftop solar generation. For a deeper dive into utilising your EV as a home battery, explore our guide: Unlock $2,000+ Annual Savings: Your 2026 Guide to Using Your EV as a Home Battery (V2H/V2G).
Addressing Barriers and Future Outlook
The widespread deployment of V2G technology has historically faced technical, regulatory, and commercial barriers. ARENA’s expanded trial, in collaboration with partners like BYD and other automakers, aims to address these challenges by implementing charging standards that support bidirectional charging and conducting real-world battery testing to alleviate warranty concerns. This collaborative approach is essential to bring together customers, car manufacturers, networks, and technology providers to establish a common pathway to market.
Compatible V2G EVs currently available or soon to be available in Australia include models from manufacturers such as Nissan, Mitsubishi (PHEV models like Outlander and Eclipse Cross), Hyundai, and Kia. However, not all EVs are V2G or V2H capable, and compatible bi-directional chargers typically range from AUD $7,000 to AUD $15,000 for residential installations.
The momentum towards V2G commercialisation is strong, with Amber Electric planning a full commercial product launch in 2026. This initiative is expected to provide valuable data for regulators and policymakers to establish the necessary frameworks for V2G technology to become mainstream across Australia. For those looking to optimise their overall home energy setup, integrating an EV with smart energy management systems can further amplify savings. Learn more about these solutions in our guide: Best Home Energy Management Systems in Australia 2026: Slash Bills by $1,000+ Annually.
This significant federal investment underscores the government’s commitment, through its Driving the Nation Program, to accelerate the integration of EVs into the grid as distributed energy resources, paving the way for a more resilient and renewable-powered future.