V2G Australia is real but still early. As at November 2026, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) means an electric vehicle (EV) sends power back to the grid through a bidirectional charger. Two bidirectional chargers are reported by several outlets as Clean Energy Council (CEC) listed, a third is disputed, and prices start from about A$5,990, but payments mostly come through invitation-only trials such as Amber Electric’s, and most carmakers have not confirmed that V2G is covered by warranty.
Key facts
- Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) in Australia is legal and standards-based, but as at November 2026 most paid V2G happens in trials, with Amber Electric’s trial expanding from 50 households to 1,000 EV-enabled homes after a A$13.6 million funding boost announced on 29 May 2026.
- The NRMA reported on 9 April 2026 that three bidirectional chargers are approved by the Clean Energy Council for installation anywhere in Australia: the StarCharge Halo, the Infypower Numbat7 and the Sigenergy EV DC charging module; Zecar reported the same month that the Numbat listing was still in progress, and we could not open the CEC register to settle it.
- The StarCharge Halo 7.4 kW bidirectional charger was listed at A$5,990 including GST by Zecar in April 2026, before installation.
- The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program does not cover EV batteries, because its explanatory statement says it is not intended for batteries “contained within an electric vehicle”.
- BYD said in October 2025 that it will warrant the EVs of 50 Amber Electric trial customers, and Zecar reported in April 2026 that most EV makers have not explicitly said V2G use is covered by their warranty.
- Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is different from V2G: it powers appliances from the car, typically at 2.2 kW to 3.6 kW, and needs no bidirectional charger or grid approval.
What is the difference between V2L, V2H and V2G?
V2L, V2H and V2G are three levels of the same idea: using the EV battery as a power source. They differ in what the car powers and what hardware is needed.
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) powers appliances plugged into the car. Vehicle-to-home (V2H) powers the home’s circuits from the car through a bidirectional charger installed by a licensed electrician. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) goes one step further and exports stored energy to the electricity grid, usually for a payment through a retailer or virtual power plant (VPP).
Table: the three modes compared, from NRMA (September 2024) and SolarQuotes (2026), checked November 2026.
| Feature | V2L | V2H | V2G |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it powers | Appliances plugged into the car | The home’s wiring | The home and the grid |
| Hardware | Adapter or in-car power point | Bidirectional charger | Bidirectional charger |
| Typical power | 2.2 kW to 3.6 kW | Charger rating, for example 7 kW | Charger rating, for example 7 kW |
| Network approval | No | Usually yes | Yes |
| Earns money | No | Indirectly, via lower bills | Yes, if a retailer or trial pays |
| Backup in a blackout | Yes, for plugged-in loads | Only with a suitable charger | No, V2G alone is not grid-forming |
What does the standards position look like in Australia?
Bidirectional chargers are treated as grid-connected inverter systems, so they must meet AS/NZS 4777.2 and be approved by the local network. SolarQuotes says V2G has been legal in Australia since 2024.
Ausgrid says a V2G charger must meet AS/NZS 4777.2 and either be on the Clean Energy Council Approved Inverter List or hold written Ausgrid equipment approval for that make and model. A connection application is needed for each premises.
SA Power Networks allows compliant V2G systems outside trials, and says it currently treats bidirectional chargers as battery energy storage systems (BESS). For sites up to 30 kVA the charger must meet its TS129 requirements, and its page says demand response requirements apply to V2G chargers installed on or after 1 July 2026. Rules differ by network.
Which bidirectional chargers are approved and on sale in Australia?
As at November 2026, two bidirectional chargers are reported as CEC listed by more than one outlet (the StarCharge Halo, announced by StarCharge on 30 March 2026, and the Sigenergy EV DC charging module), and a third, the Infypower Numbat7, is reported as approved by the NRMA but as “in progress” by Zecar. We could not verify any of these on the CEC register itself: the Clean Energy Council inverter page describes a list of over 3,800 inverter and power conversion equipment models and does not mention EV chargers, and the list loads in a tool we could not read. SA Power Networks points to that list for bidirectional chargers, so search it for the exact model yourself before buying.
Table: bidirectional charger prices and status reported by Zecar (11 April 2026), the NRMA (9 April 2026) and Hyundai (June 2026). Prices exclude installation unless stated.
| Charger | Power | Reported price (A$) | CEC status as reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| StarCharge Halo | 7.4 kW (11 kW option) | 5,990 including GST | Listed March 2026 per Hyundai |
| Sigenergy EV DC charging module | 12.5 kW | About 4,850, plus a Sigen inverter at 1,800 to 5,500 | Listed per NRMA and Zecar |
| Infypower Numbat7 (V2Grid NUMBAT) | 7 kW | About 10,000 | Approved per NRMA; Zecar said “in progress” |
| RedEarth and Ambibox DC Wallbox | Up to 22 kW | 9,990 plus GST | Not confirmed |
| Wallbox Quasar 2 | 11.5 kW | Not published | No Australian release date confirmed |
Sources disagree on the Numbat’s listing date, and Zecar said the Halo price was not finalised. A Zecar report on Hyundai’s June 2026 test put the Halo at about A$6,000 plus installation, so a bidirectional charger costs more than the A$2,269 average installed price of a standard home charger that Solar Choice reported for June 2026. Our guides to home EV chargers and EV charger installation costs cover the one-way hardware.
Which EVs support V2G or V2H in Australia?
Very few cars sold in Australia can export to the grid today, and fewer have a warranty statement. Check the car, the charger and the network together.
Table: V2G and V2H status of EVs sold in Australia, from manufacturer or trial announcements, as at November 2026.
| Vehicle | Status | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Atto 3 | Trial only | In Amber Electric’s trial and Origin’s EV subscription trial; BYD said it will warrant 50 trial customers’ cars (October 2025) |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | Demonstrated, not on sale for V2G | Hyundai Australia completed the first ISO 15118-20 V2G discharge with the StarCharge Halo (June 2026); Ioniq 5 and 6 are under evaluation |
| Hyundai, Kia, BYD, Zeekr (select models) | AGL trial | AGL said it was working with all four makers so trial battery warranties are not affected (September 2025) |
| Kia EV9 | Disputed, unconfirmed | SolarQuotes’ bidirectional charging page (undated, apparently 2026) lists it as V2G capable. Zecar’s September 2024 guide found no Australian availability, and AEVA says Kia does not advertise V2H in Australia. We found no Kia Australia statement confirming support or warranty cover, so do not assume it works |
| Nissan Leaf | Capable, CHAdeMO | Works with CHAdeMO bidirectional chargers; Nissan ran an ACT trial; we found no current warranty statement |
| Mitsubishi Outlander and Eclipse Cross PHEV | Approved in South Australia | SA Power Networks approved export in May 2024 using a Wallbox Quasar 1, which is discontinued |
Many more models offer only V2L. NRMA lists the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 and Kia EV6 at 3.6 kW, and the BYD Atto 3 and Seal at 2.4 kW.
Does V2G void my EV warranty?
Using V2G on a car whose maker has not approved it may put the battery warranty at risk. The NRMA said in April 2026 that outside trials V2G “risks voiding the battery warranty”. Zecar reported most makers have not said V2G is covered.
Get written confirmation from the manufacturer for your exact model and charger. SolarQuotes also notes that some makers restrict which bidirectional chargers are permitted under warranty.
Which retailers and networks allow or trial V2G?
Only a handful of trials pay Australians for V2G, and each is limited. As at November 2026, none of these is a mass-market tariff.
- Amber Electric: The ARENA-backed trial is expanding to 1,000 homes, initially with BYD, and uses wholesale prices. ARENA said on 29 May 2026 that total support is A$16.8 million. The NRMA said a waitlist of 5,500 people had formed by April 2026. Read our Amber Electric review for how its wholesale pricing works.
- Origin Energy: Announced a trial subscription in September 2025 with a leased BYD Atto 3 and a StarCharge Halo, priced at “under A$800 a month after tax savings”, for up to 50 customers, due to start in 2026. We could not confirm its current status.
- AGL: Announced a year-long trial with 50 discounted bidirectional chargers for select Hyundai, Kia, BYD and Zeekr vehicles in September 2025. We could not confirm its current status.
Earnings are lumpy. Amber reported about A$150 to A$200 for one Victorian customer on a June 2025 price spike, the NRMA reported about A$700 in one heatwave afternoon in South Australia, and SolarQuotes (June 2026) called a A$1,000 day from an EV plus home battery exceptional.
How much does V2G cost, and can it save money? A worked example
Hardware and installation could exceed A$8,000, and savings depend on price spikes you cannot control. Bidirectional installation costs are not published in the sources we found, so this example uses stated assumptions.
Assumptions (illustrative, not a forecast): Halo charger at A$5,990, installation allowance of A$2,000 to A$3,000, a home that discharges 10 kWh from the EV on 250 evenings a year, an assumed evening grid price of 40 c/kWh, and an assumed value of surplus solar of 8 c/kWh.
- Value per evening: 10 kWh x (A$0.40 minus A$0.08) = A$3.20.
- Annual value: A$3.20 x 250 = about A$800.
- Upfront cost: A$7,990 to A$8,990.
- Simple payback: about 10 to 11 years, before any spike payments.
Spike income could shorten that. The example ignores extra battery wear and warranty risk. A VPP can add smaller payments, as our VPP guide explains. To charge with surplus solar in the first place, see our guide to charging an EV with solar.
V2G EV or home battery: which is better?
A home battery is usually the more reliable choice today: it is always home, has a warranty written for daily cycling and qualifies for the federal discount. An EV battery is larger but only available when the car is parked at home.
Table: a V2G-capable EV against a typical home battery, checked November 2026.
| Factor | V2G-capable EV | Home battery |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Often 60 kWh or more | Often 10 to 15 kWh |
| Available when away | No | Yes |
| Warranty for grid use | Mostly unconfirmed | Written for cycling |
| Federal discount | No, EV batteries are excluded | Yes, if CEC-approved and linked to solar |
| Upfront cost | Charger from about A$5,990 plus installation | Battery plus installation |
| Backup in a blackout | Only V2H with a suitable charger | Yes, with a backup gateway |
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program requires a battery of 5 kWh to 100 kWh nominal capacity linked to a solar system, with certificates counted on the first 50 kWh of usable capacity. Our solar battery rebates guide notes the discount factor falls on 1 January 2027, from 6.8 to 5.7, and that a 13.5 kWh battery earns about 91 certificates now. See whether solar batteries are worth it for the payback side.
When to call a professional
V2H and V2G installs need a licensed electrician, a CEC-listed charger and a network connection application. Ask the installer which charger and car pairing they have commissioned before. Browse solar and battery installers in our installer directory.
FAQ
Can I do V2G in Australia now?
Yes, but in limited ways. Two bidirectional chargers are widely reported as CEC listed and a third is disputed, yet payments come mostly through trials.
How much does a V2G charger cost in Australia?
Published prices start at about A$5,990 including GST for the StarCharge Halo, before installation. The Sigenergy module is about A$4,850 plus an inverter, and the Numbat is about A$10,000 (Zecar, April 2026).
Which EVs support V2G in Australia?
The BYD Atto 3, Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi plug-in hybrids have been used in trials or approvals. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 completed a first discharge in June 2026, and Kia EV9 support is disputed and unconfirmed by Kia Australia.
Is V2H the same as V2G?
No. V2H powers your own home from the car, while V2G also exports to the grid. Both need a bidirectional charger.
Does V2G void my EV warranty?
It can. The NRMA said in April 2026 that using V2G outside trials risks voiding the battery warranty, so get written confirmation first.
Is a V2G charger eligible for the federal battery discount?
No. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program explanatory statement says it is not intended to cover batteries in an electric vehicle.
Can I join Amber’s V2G trial?
Not freely. Amber’s trial is expanding to 1,000 homes, starting with BYD, and a waitlist of 5,500 people was reported in April 2026.
Can V2G power my house in a blackout?
Not by itself. SolarQuotes says V2G is not grid-forming, so only V2H with a suitable charger can provide backup.
Sources
- NRMA, V2G trial with Amber (9 April 2026)
- NRMA, what is V2L, V2H and V2G (September 2024)
- Amber Electric, BYD warranty support announcement (29 October 2025)
- Amber Electric, V2G trial lessons learned (1 August 2025)
- ARENA, Amber expansion media release (29 May 2026)
- SolarQuotes, Australia’s biggest V2G trial (June 2026)
- SolarQuotes, bidirectional EV charging in Australia
- Zecar, bidirectional V2H and V2G chargers guide (11 April 2026)
- Zecar, StarCharge Halo CEC listing (1 April 2026)
- Zecar, Hyundai Ioniq 9 V2G discharge (18 June 2026)
- electrive, AGL and Origin V2G trials (25 September 2025)
- GoAuto, Mitsubishi PHEV grid export (30 May 2024)
- Ausgrid, Vehicle-2-Grid (V2G)
- SA Power Networks, bidirectional and V2G charging
- Explanatory Statement, Cheaper Home Batteries Program regulations
- Zecar, Kia EV9 bidirectional charging guide (25 September 2024)
- Clean Energy Council approved inverter list
About this guide
This guide was written by the Solar Cobber editorial team from independent desk research checked in November 2026. Solar Cobber is a free directory that may earn referral or advertising fees from installers, and commercial relationships never affect our content. This is general information, not financial advice. To report a correction, contact us.
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