Using your electric vehicle as a home battery is now a reality in Australia, thanks to Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. This guide explains how you can use your EV’s battery—which is often four to five times larger than a typical 13kWh home battery—to power your home, reduce electricity bills, and provide backup during a blackout. As of 2026, with key Australian standards finalised and certified bidirectional chargers available, homeowners can now practically implement this technology.
This transition is driven by the increasing availability of V2H/V2G compatible EVs, approved bidirectional chargers, and progressive network operators in states like South Australia and New South Wales finally allowing connections to the grid.
V2H vs. V2G: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the two main types of bidirectional charging is crucial. While often discussed together, they serve different functions.
- Vehicle-to-Home (V2H): This allows your EV to act as a direct power source for your home, operating like a large, mobile battery. It’s ideal for using stored solar energy during evening peak times or for providing backup power during a grid outage. V2H does not export electricity back to the wider grid, making it simpler from a regulatory standpoint.
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): This more advanced function enables your EV to not only power your home but also to export excess energy back to the electricity grid. This can help stabilise the network during periods of high demand and allows you to earn credits or payments from your energy retailer, often through a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program.
For most Australians in 2026, V2H is the more immediately accessible and practical option, as it doesn’t require complex agreements with energy retailers or navigating the stricter grid-export regulations that are still being refined outside of trials.
A recent Australian study found that using a V2H-capable EV can lower household electricity costs by about 6.8% and reduce the need for a larger, dedicated home battery system.
What You Need: The Three Key Components
To enable V2H or V2G, you need a compatible ecosystem of three elements working together:
- A V2H/V2G-Capable Electric Vehicle: Not all EVs can discharge power. The car’s internal hardware and battery management system must be designed for bidirectional energy flow.
- A Bidirectional DC Charger: Standard home EV chargers only allow power to flow one way. You need a specialised bidirectional charger that can manage two-way energy flow, converting DC power from the car’s battery back to AC power for your home.
- Network and Retailer Approval (for V2G): For V2G, your local electricity network distributor (like Ausgrid in NSW or SA Power Networks in SA) must approve the connection. You’ll also need an energy retailer with a V2G-specific plan or VPP to manage the energy exports and payments.
Compatible Cars and Chargers in Australia (2026)
The list of V2H/V2G-capable vehicles is growing. While many new EVs offer Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) for powering individual appliances, full V2H and V2G capability is less common but expanding.
V2H/V2G-Capable EVs Available in Australia:
- Nissan Leaf: A long-standing V2G pioneer using the CHAdeMO plug.
- Mitsubishi Outlander & Eclipse Cross PHEVs: Also use the CHAdeMO standard for V2H/V2G.
- Kia EV9: Confirmed to have the necessary hardware for V2G and V2H.
- Select BYD Models (Atto 3, Seal, Shark 6): Now enabled for V2H via software updates in newer models. BYD is also participating in major V2G trials with retailers like AGL and Amber Electric.
- Select Hyundai/Kia Models (Ioniq 5, EV6): While having the underlying technology and being used in trials, widespread manufacturer warranty support for V2G is still being formalised.
- Tesla Model 3/Y (2025/2026 builds): Limited V2H support is beginning to be introduced.
Key Bidirectional Chargers Available in Australia (CEC Approved):
The cost of bidirectional chargers is significantly higher than standard units, typically ranging from $6,000 to over $10,000 plus installation. Prices are expected to fall as the technology becomes more mainstream.
| Charger Model | Indicative Price (ex. install) | Key Features & Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| RedEarth Boomerang | ~$9,990 + GST | Australian-made, compatible with CCS2 vehicles like Tesla Model Y, BYD Atto 3. |
| Sigenergy SigenStor EV DC Module | ~$4,850 (module only) | Part of a larger solar/battery system, CEC approved. |
| V2Grid Numbat | ~$10,000 | Supports both CHAdeMO (Nissan Leaf) and CCS2 standards. |
| Wallbox Quasar 2 | TBC for Australia | Successor to the original Quasar, designed for CCS vehicles, includes blackout mode. |
| StarCharge Halo | TBC for Australia | One of the first three CEC-approved bidirectional chargers in Australia. |
Before purchasing, always confirm your chosen car and charger combination is compatible and that your installer is certified for bidirectional systems.
Is It Worth It? EV vs. a Dedicated Home Battery
The primary benefit of using your EV is leveraging a massive battery you already own. A typical EV like a BYD Atto 3 (60kWh) or Tesla Model Y (75kWh) holds far more energy than a standard home battery.
| Feature | EV with V2H | Dedicated Home Battery (e.g., Tesla Powerwall) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Capacity | 50-80 kWh | 13.5 kWh |
| Upfront Hardware Cost | $6,000 - $10,000+ (for bidirectional charger) | $13,000 - $15,000+ (installed) |
| Primary Function | Transport + Home Energy Storage | Home Energy Storage Only |
| Availability | Dependent on the car being plugged in | Always available at home |
| Blackout Backup | Yes, can power a home for several days | Yes, can power a home for 12-24 hours |
For households with an EV that is regularly parked at home overnight, V2H offers compelling value, effectively providing large-scale energy storage for the cost of a charger upgrade. For those looking to maximise their solar self-consumption, it’s a powerful tool. You can find some of the Cheapest Electric Cars Available in Australia in 2026 that are now starting to incorporate this technology.
State of Play: Rebates and Network Access
Progress on V2G/V2H rollout varies by state:
- South Australia: The pioneer. SA Power Networks was the first to formalise the connection process for bidirectional chargers. The state has previously offered a $3,000 subsidy for eligible new EVs.
- New South Wales: Network operators like Ausgrid and Essential Energy are now approving V2G connections, opening the technology to millions of customers.
- Victoria: The state government is actively working to remove regulatory barriers and is supporting several large V2G trials, estimating V2G could save EV owners up to $1,000 per year.
- National Trials: Major energy retailers like AGL and Amber Electric, with funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), are running significant V2G trials across multiple states to refine the technology and commercial offerings.
Currently, there are no widespread, dedicated federal or state rebates specifically for bidirectional chargers, though the Electric Vehicle Council has proposed a $3,000 rebate.
Bottom Line
For Australian EV owners in 2026, using your car as a home battery via V2H is now a practical and financially savvy strategy, especially for those with rooftop solar. It unlocks a huge energy storage capacity for a fraction of the cost of a standalone battery system of equivalent size.
While full V2G is still in its early commercial stages and largely confined to trials, the groundwork is laid. The key barriers—vehicle compatibility, charger availability, and network rules—are rapidly being resolved.
If you are purchasing a new EV in 2026, choosing a model with confirmed V2H/V2G capability is a smart move for future-proofing. The initial investment in a bidirectional charger, while significant at around $10,000, can be justified by providing blackout protection and drastically reducing reliance on the grid, turning your vehicle into a valuable home energy asset.