First V2G chargers hit Christmas shelves, but yet to get final approval

The first home electric vehicle (EV) bidirectional-capable chargers are already on the market in Australia, even though they are yet to receive final approval as the Clean Energy Council (CEC) figures out how to do that.

Sigenergy has announced it has one of the first vehicle to grid-capable chargers on the market, a 25 kilowatt (kW) DC bidirectional charger.  The inverter the system uses is CEC approved, but the industry body is still in talks about how to include the full charging system into its approved product lists. 

The go-ahead for vehicle to grid (V2G) technology – expected to have a major impact for EV owners and the grid, because of the potential for electric cars to operate as batteries on wheels – was given four weeks ago with the announcement of new standards.

Energy minister Chris Bowen expanded the existing battery and inverter standard to include V2G chargers that suit the CCS2 plug protocols common to newly made EVs, and said it will be in place by the end of the year.

But the CEC was not able to give The Driven a time frame as to when bidirectional chargers such as Sigen’s will be approved for use under the AS/NZS 4777 standard.

During the announcement in November, Bowen said car companies can immediately start having their bidirectional devices tested to the revised standard, then apply to the Clean Energy Council to have their devices assessed and listed.

Once listed, distribution networks can then confirm that they can be plugged into their local grids.

Other companies have been quick to move. RedEarth said it plans to make EV chargers in Australia under licence, while retailers such as Amber have flagged pricing deals that could see EV owners being paid to charge their cars.

The Sigenergy charger is DC (direct current), meaning that it can charge more quickly as the electrons flow directly to the battery, and comes with a CCS2 plug.

This is because it can charge at the maximum 25kW rather than being limited by the car’s onboard AC-to-DC charging equipment to 7kW or 11kW, depending on the vehicle and the charger. 

It is currently available in Australia for between $7,000 and$9,000, for the 12 kW and a 25 kW versions. It’s unclear which EVs this charger will be compatible with.

TheDriven sought further comment from Sigenergy.