When most people think about electric cars, they picture plugging in, charging up, and hitting the road. But there’s a growing group of homeowners who are starting to ask a different question: “What if my car could power my house, too?”
That’s exactly what bidirectional charging makes possible.
This isn’t science fiction or something far off in the future. Bidirectional EV chargers are here and are on their way to changing how we think about home energy in Australia.
At PSC Energy, we install cutting-edge technology for our customers every day. New and exciting components are vying for attention as we power your energy lifestyle. Bidirectional chargers are the real deal, and they’re here. You need to know about them.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What Is Bidirectional Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging?
- How V2H and V2G Work in Practice
- The Pros and Cons of Bidirectional Charging
- V2G Chargers and EVs Coming to Australia
If you’ve got rooftop solar or you’re considering buying an EV, here’s what you need to know about this exciting tech and how it can help power your life in ways you didn’t expect.
What Is Bidirectional Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging?
A regular EV charger only goes one way: it takes electricity from the grid or your solar panels and sends it into your car’s battery.
A bidirectional charger lets energy flow into the battery when you need to charge your car, but it also allows energy to flow back out when you need to power your home, the grid, or other vehicles.
This kind of system can do a few different things:
- Vehicle-to-Home (V2H): Your EV powers your home just like a battery would. You charge it with solar during the day, then use that power at night.
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): Your EV sends electricity back to the grid, helping during peak times. In some cases, you can even get paid for that energy.
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L): You power tools, a fridge, or a coffee machine straight from your car. It’s perfect for camping or power outages.
These features are starting to show up in more EV models, and some brands (like Sigenergy) are building chargers that make it easy to manage power in and out of your car.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar batteries, you might want to start with the following article titled, Adding a Battery to a Solar System.
How V2H and V2G Work in Practice
Let’s say you have solar panels. During the day, they generate more energy than you use. With a bidirectional setup, that excess solar charges your car. Then, when the sun goes down, you use that stored energy to run your home. That’s V2H.
Or maybe the grid needs help during a hot summer night when everyone’s blasting the air con. Your EV could send some energy back to the grid at that time through a VPP like Amber.
That’s V2G; depending on your energy provider, you could be paid for it.
Why Does This Matter?
Bidirectional charging is more than just a neat trick. It can help:
- Lower your energy bills
- Provide backup power during outages
- Reduce stress on the grid
- Maximise your use of solar energy
It’s already helped during emergencies. In one major blackout, V2G systems in Canberra sent stored energy from parked EVs back to the grid. It was a world first and a big sign of what’s possible.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about Amber, you might want to check out the following article titled, Amber Energy Australia Explained: A Smart Way to Save (and Earn) with Solar Panels and Battery.
Power up your savings. Click here.
The Pros and Cons of Bidirectional Charging
Benefits
There’s a lot to like here. Some of the biggest advantages include:
- Energy independence: Charge your car with solar and use it as a backup when the grid’s down.
- Extra storage: Use your EV like a home battery without buying one.
- Passive income: Feed power back into the grid and get paid through energy trading plans like Amber.
- Backup power: Keep lights and appliances running during an outage.
- Better use of solar: Store excess energy instead of sending it to the grid for a low feed-in rate.
- Smarter timing: Charge your car at off-peak rates and use that energy when prices rise.
If you already have rooftop solar—or you’re planning to install it—bidirectional charging gives you more control and more value out of every sunbeam your panels catch.
Challenges
Of course, there are still a few things to be aware of:
- It’s still early days: Only a few EVs and chargers fully support bidirectional charging right now.
- Automaker readiness: Some brands are still working on warranty coverage or software support.
- Regulatory hurdles: Australia updated its standards in 2024, but grid connections and state rules still vary.
- Battery wear concerns: Some people worry about the long-term impact on battery health, but brands like BYD and Ford have said they’re not worried about it, especially if charging is well-managed.
Many of these issues are already improving. Prices are dropping. Rules are becoming clearer. And more EVs will soon be ready for bidirectional charging right out of the box.
If you’re interested in learning about other EV charger options, you might want to check out the following article titled, Zappi Charger Review: Is It the Right Choice for You?
Let’s talk solar savings. Click here.
V2G Chargers and EVs Coming to Australia
As the market grows, new options are popping up. Here’s one we’re watching closely:
- Sigenergy Bidirectional Charger: This charger works with Sigenergy’s stackable home battery systems. It’s V2G-ready and designed to work well with solar. Pricing starts around $7,500.
Others are being developed, but many won’t arrive until late 2025 or 2026.
Which EVs Will Support Bidirectional Charging?
This is where things are changing fast.
Old systems used CHAdeMO plugs (like on the Nissan Leaf), but that standard is being phased out. The new standard is CCS2; most new EVs in Australia now use this.
How Do You Install a V2G Charger at Home?
Setting up a bidirectional charger isn’t just about plugging it in. Here’s what to expect:
- Check your EV: First, make sure your car supports bidirectional charging.
- Know your power supply: Most homes are single-phase. Some chargers may need three phases.
- Get grid approval: Your DNSP (local network operator) has to approve the connection.
- Work with a competent installer: Not every electrician has experience with EV systems and grid export rules. Make sure you work with someone who knows the ropes, like PSC Energy.
- Integrate with solar: This will give you the most significant long-term savings. Solar + EV charging = complete control over your energy.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the Tesla Wall Connector, you might want to check out the following article titled, Tesla Car Charger Review: Is It Right for You?
Ready to go solar? Click here.
Is Bidirectional EV Charging Worth It?
If you’ve got solar and are considering buying an EV, this technology is worth exploring. You could lower your bills, protect yourself from blackouts, and even get paid to help the grid.
And if you’re planning to install solar soon, it makes sense to future-proof your home for this kind of system. You don’t need to buy everything at once, but it helps to lay the groundwork now.
Bidirectional charging isn’t just about keeping your car charged. It’s about turning your vehicle into a flexible energy tool that works for your home, your solar system, and the wider grid.
If you’re solar-curious or EV-curious, now’s a great time to ask some deeper questions.
At PSC, we walk our customers through V2G, V2L, and V2H. We’ll talk you through the steps of solar and EV charging solutions and help you plan for whatever comes next. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about public charging stations, you might want to check out the following article titled, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Guide 2024.
