Early V2G drivers saving heaps, but big changes needed to make it work for all

More than half of all Australians would like their car to double as a battery that could feed power back into the grid but big changes will be needed to make the process easier.

Early hurdles for using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology include the high price of bi-direction chargers, persistent software issues and a complicated installation process.

Motoring body the NRMA issued the warnings on Thursday in early findings from a study of V2G technology conducted with the University of Technology Sydney and iMove Co-operative Research Centre.

They come a day after the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) issued a V2G roadmap that estimated 2.6 million households could be using the technology by 2040 to support the energy grid and save money.

Approved for use in Australia in 2024, vehicle-to-grid technology will allow motorists to plug their electric cars into bi-directional chargers.

These chargers can be used to feed power into a vehicle’s battery or take power from it to feed into the national grid during times of high demand, potentially earning motorists money.

The NRMA-led study interviewed five early V2G adopters and found they were making about $1000 a year feeding energy into the grid from their vehicles, including one driver who made more than $500 in two hours.

The study also identified significant challenges to installing and using V2G technology including a lack of information about the technology, compatibility and software issues with bi-directional chargers and the high cost of purchasing the equipment.

The only bi-directional charger approved for use in Australia costs $11,000.

The V2G users, based in NSW and South Australia, had to manually control the energy flowing from their vehicles – something UTS Institute of Sustainable Futures research director Dr Scott Dwyer said would be important to address to achieve wide adoption.

“The experiences of this first wave of users have allowed us to identify the main barriers and enablers of the V2G customer journey,” he said.

“That will help smooth out and speed up V2G adoption for more Australians.”

A survey of 1300 drivers conducted by the NRMA also found more than half wanted to install V2G technology soon and more than four in five parked vehicles at home at least three days a week during peak solar hours.

NRMA chief strategy officer Vivian Miles said the opportunity to put renewable energy into the power grid and allow drivers to make money from their vehicles should not be passed over.

“With Australia’s wholesale energy market so volatile, bi-directional charging could revolutionise how we view and use our cars,” she said.

“If V2G technology becomes accessible for more EV drivers, these vehicles will be able to add energy back into the grid when it’s most needed.”

While the study only interviewed Nissan Leaf drivers able to use the current CHAdeMO charger approved for use in Australia, more equipment is expected to be approved later this year.

ARENA’s V2G road map found that with the right settings – including installation rebates and dynamic energy tariffs – 2.6 million Australian households could use the technology by 2040.

AAP