Generating income through electric vehicles?

In Germany, electricity expenses are steep, but drivers of electric vehicles can noticeably cut down on charging costs and potentially earn money.

, and Administrator

2025 September 28 . 8:59 AM

2 min read

Generating income from electric vehicles?

Generating income through electric vehicles?

In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular, and with this rise, the cost of electricity for charging these vehicles has also seen a significant increase. However, a promising solution to address this issue is bidirectional charging, a technology that allows EVs to store excess green electricity from renewable sources and feed it back into the grid during periods of low supply.

Since 2020, electricity prices for EV charging have increased by 25%. In response, several countries, including Japan, the USA, and China, are relying on bidirectional charging technology. In Japan, it's part of the emergency power supply, while in the USA, electric school buses are equipped with V2G systems to help reduce peak loads on the grid. China aims to establish bidirectional charging nationwide by 2030. Denmark and Norway have ambitious plans for national-scale implementation by 2030, with Denmark running pilot projects and aiming for a ban on new combustion engines from 2030, while Norway has nearly completed the transition supported by hydropower and strict climate policies.

The potential annual profit from electricity arbitrage businesses based on real electricity prices for an average electric vehicle is estimated to be around 355 euros. This means that EV drivers could potentially realize further savings in the future with bidirectional charging.

In Germany, the coalition agreement of CDU, CSU, and SPD promises to promote bidirectional charging and actively advance the system-supportive use of EVs. The first V2G applications are already in operation in Europe, with the Netherlands, Spain, and France leading the way. For instance, in France, the first electricity customers can already feed their vehicle batteries into the grid as decentralized storage and receive free charging electricity in return.

However, it's important to note that no country has yet succeeded in establishing bidirectional charging nationwide. The German legislature has not yet created the framework conditions for bidirectional charging, but if the new government implements its plans quickly, Germany could become a pioneer in this area.

To further reduce charging costs, electric vehicle drivers can reduce them by up to 70% through intelligent charging strategies. Dynamic electricity tariffs and variable network charges can help in this regard, as prices in dynamic tariffs are particularly favorable during midday and nighttime hours. All electricity suppliers and network operators will offer dynamic tariff models starting from 2025.

The cost of driving in Germany has increased by 28% since 2020, with fuel prices rising by 41%. This increase has led to a rise in the price per kilowatt-hour for electricity from 32.24 cents in 2020 to 40.22 cents in 2024. Bidirectional charging could benefit not only EV drivers but also the power supply and society as a whole.

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In conclusion, bidirectional charging for electric vehicles presents an exciting opportunity for energy efficiency, cost savings, and a more sustainable future. As more countries adopt this technology, we can expect to see a reduction in charging costs and a more reliable power supply.