"Network operator initiates first V2G charging connection"
Ausgrid, the largest electricity network operator on Australia's east coast, has taken a significant stride in the country's clean energy transition by connecting its first fully operational vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging system at a depot in Artarmon. This development marks a major step towards integrating electric vehicles (EVs) as active participants in supporting the New South Wales (NSW) grid as it transitions from coal-fired generation.
The V2G charging system, a StarCharge Halo 7.4kW single-phase model, complies with anti-islanding requirements during mains outages for safety. This connection, covering a network area of 22,275 square kilometers spanning Sydney, the Central Coast, and the Hunter Valley, represents a significant milestone in the advancement of V2G technology in Australia.
With this connection, Ausgrid now allows customers to apply for Clean Energy Council (CEC)-approved bidirectional chargers through its connection process, demonstrating the company's commitment to enabling V2G access for EV owners in its service area. Ausgrid is the third electricity distributor in Australia to enable V2G capabilities, following Essential Energy and SA Power Networks.
The introduction of national standards for V2G technology, led by federal energy minister Chris Bowen in November 2024, has been pivotal in accelerating V2G progress in Australia. However, the full V2G rollout still depends on approvals for cables, agreements with car manufacturers, and negotiations with individual network operators.
V2G technology is recognised as a potential game-changer because it allows EV batteries, which typically have much greater storage capacity than home batteries, to not only draw electricity from the grid but also feed energy back during peak demand. This two-way energy flow can provide grid management benefits, reduce infrastructure stress, and represent a new revenue stream for EV owners.
The Clean Energy Council now certifies V2G-compatible chargers, though as of mid-2025, no certified V2G chargers are widely available in Australia yet. However, manufacturers like Wallbox plan to introduce compatible chargers soon, and only a few EV models currently support V2G, such as the Nissan LEAF and some Mitsubishi vehicles.
Australian energy stakeholders see V2G as part of a broader shift towards distributed energy resources, with potential impacts extending from grid reliability to household energy independence through Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities, though the latter remains less developed in the Australian market.
Amphlett Lewis, from Amber Electric, is optimistic that within the next 12-18 months, V2G will become easy for customers to use. Amber Electric, which aims to help customers offset their energy bills and manage network stress, improving overall grid performance, is innovating retail products that can turn EVs into income-generating assets and energy-management systems.
The V2G connection at Ausgrid's Artarmon Depot is a testament to the company's foundational work to understand how to integrate V2G safely and effectively and in a way that customers can benefit. The rollout of V2G will depend on various factors, including approvals for cables, permission from car makers, and agreements with individual network operators.
As the UK has faced challenges due to a high number of EVs and grid readiness before commercial products became available, the successful implementation of V2G in Australia could pave the way for a smoother transition towards a future where electric vehicles may play an integral role in supporting the NSW grid. Sophie Vorrath, the editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of Renew Economy, has been writing about clean energy for over a decade and shares this optimism. Amber Electric is confident that all pieces will fall into place for V2G to become widespread in the near future.
The integration of V2G technology at Ausgrid's Artarmon Depot signifies a significant advancement in the adoption of clean energy, as it allows electric vehicles (EVs) to not only draw electricity but also feed energy back to the grid, providing grid management benefits and a new revenue stream for EV owners. This development, facilitated by the introduction of national standards for V2G technology, is a major step towards enabling distributed energy resources, such as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities, that could lead to household energy independence and improved grid performance.
