You may have heard that some EV chargers can send power from your car back into your home. This sounds great—you could charge your car with solar during the day, use that energy at night, and keep your lights on during a blackout.
But when you start researching, it quickly gets confusing. Many brands claim their chargers are “bidirectional ready” without explaining what that means. Some features are listed as “coming soon” on old websites, and many forum posts talk about equipment that isn’t even available in Australia.
At PSC Energy, we design and install home energy systems across NSW, including solar, batteries, and EV chargers. We use the Sigenergy SigenStor system to bring bidirectional EV charging into a complete home setup. Our experience shows us which technology actually works.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What Does “Bidirectional EV Charger” Mean?
- Which EVs Support V2H in Australia Right Now?
- Bidirectional EV Charger Comparison: What’s Available in Australia?
- What Else Do You Need for V2H to Work?
- Will Bidirectional Charging Degrade Your EV Battery?
- Is V2H Worth It If You Already Have a Home Battery?
- PSC Energy’s Recommendation
- FAQ: Bidirectional EV Charger Questions
By the end of this article, we’ll explain what bidirectional EV charging means, which EVs and chargers support it in Australia, what you need for a working V2H system, and whether it could be right for your home.
What Does “Bidirectional EV Charger” Mean?
Most EV chargers only send electricity one way, from the grid or your solar panels into your car. Bidirectional chargers can also send power from your car’s battery back out to where you need it.
The term refers to three different things, which are not the same:
- V2H (vehicle-to-home): Your car sends power to your home’s circuits. You use it to run appliances, lights, and anything else connected to your home. This is the most practical option for Australian homeowners.
- V2G (vehicle-to-grid): Your car sends power back to the electricity grid. Energy retailers can purchase that power and credit you for it. V2G requires grid approval, smart metering, and a compatible retailer program. It is not available to residential customers in Australia in 2026.
- V2L (vehicle-to-load): Your car powers devices directly through a plug outlet built into the car, like a portable generator. No special home charger is required. V2L works in Australia right now with compatible vehicles.
Right now, V2H is the most practical choice for Australian homeowners. V2G might become available in the future, but households can’t use it yet. V2L is already here, but it only powers single devices, not your whole home.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about bidirectional EV charging, you might want to check out the following article titled, Bidirectional EV Charging in Australia Explained: Your Guide to V2G, V2H, and V2L.
Which EVs Support V2H in Australia Right Now?
This is where things often get confusing. A bidirectional charging setup always needs two things: a compatible charger and a compatible car. Most EVs in Australia today only take in power and can’t send it back out. Only a few models can do both.
EVs with confirmed or in-progress V2H support in Australia:
- Nissan Leaf (2018 onwards): One of the earliest V2H-capable EVs globally. Uses the CHAdeMO charging standard. Nissan sells a dedicated V2H unit called the LEAF to Home in Japan, but wide Australian distribution has not followed.
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Supports V2H via CHAdeMO. Mitsubishi promoted this feature in some markets alongside compatible home units.
- BYD Atto 3, BYD Seal, BYD Dolphin: All support V2L as standard. BYD has announced V2H support for compatible models via firmware updates. Rollout timelines vary and should be confirmed with your dealer.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6: Both support V2L natively. Hyundai has announced V2H support, though a compatible Australian home charger has not yet been launched for these vehicles.
- Kia EV6 and EV9: Same electrical architecture as the Ioniq range. V2L is confirmed; V2H is under development.
EVs that do not currently support V2H in Australia:
- Tesla Model 3 and Model Y: Tesla uses a proprietary charging architecture. These vehicles do not support V2H through a standard home charger. The Powerwall 3 has some bi-directional capability within Tesla’s own ecosystem, but this is separate from V2H.
- Most other EVs: Unless a manufacturer has clearly confirmed V2H support for Australia, you should assume the vehicle only accepts power in one direction.
Before buying any charger, make sure your vehicle supports the CCS2 or CHAdeMO bidirectional standard and that the right firmware version is available in Australia. Some features are locked to certain regions by manufacturers.
If you’re wondering if you EV supports bidirectional charging, you might want to check out the following article titled, What EVs Support Bidirectional Charging in Australia?
Bidirectional EV Charger Comparison: What’s Available in Australia?
Here’s the reality about bidirectional chargers in Australia: there are far fewer real options than the marketing makes it seem.
Most wall chargers on the market only work one way. They can do smart charging, like adjusting the charge rate based on solar output or electricity tariffs, but they can’t send power back to your home. The bidirectional market is still new, and many products fall into one of these categories:
- Not yet released in Australia.
- Released but missing the vehicle compatibility needed to work.
- Dependent on future firmware updates to actually deliver the promised feature.
Here are the most relevant options currently available:
Wallbox Quasar 2
The Quasar 2 is one of the most widely discussed bidirectional home chargers globally. It supports CCS2, which covers most new EVs in Australia. Key details:
- Output: 7.4 kW (single phase)
- Supports V2H and V2G
- Compatible with CCS2 vehicles
- Requires a compatible hybrid inverter or home energy system to route power to your home circuits
- Approximate installed price: $3,500 to $4,500
The Quasar 2 is reliable, but not many vehicles in Australiaworke with it yet. Touse aull V2H features, you also need the right inverter and energy syste.m.
Sigenergy SigenStor EV DC Charging Module
Sigenergy takes a different approach. Rather than a standalone wall unit, the Sigenergy EV charging module is built into the SigenStor whole-home energy system. It connects to the battery and solar array at the DC level.
Key details:
- Output: Up to 11.5 kW DC
- Supports bidirectional DC charging (V2H)
- Integrated with SigenStor battery and hybrid inverter
- One system manages solar, battery storage, home loads, and EV charging together.
- Automatic management of energy flows based on your usage.
With DC coupling, there are fewer energy conversions and less wasted power compared to using a separate AC charger and inverter. The system automatically decides when to charge your car, send power to your home, or use solar. PSC Energy installs this system across NSW.
Why There Aren’t More Options
Three things constrain the Australian bidirectional charger market right now:
- Charging standards: Most new EVs in Australia use CCS2. The bidirectional feature in CCS2 (the ISO 15118-20 protocol) is only just starting to be used by car makers. The standard is there, but not all vehicles and chargers have turned it on yet.
- Grid regulations: Sending power back to the grid requires approval from your Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP). The regulatory framework for residential V2G is still under development in NSW and other states.
- Vehicle compatibility: Even if you have a bidirectional charger, your car must support the protocol. Most EVs on Australian roads today don’t.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the Sigenergy SigenStor Bidirectional EV Charger, you might want to check out the following article titled, Sigenergy SigenStor Bidirectional DC EV Charger: Everything You Need to Know.
What Else Do You Need for V2H to Work?
A bidirectional charger is not enough on its own. A complete V2H system requires:
- A compatible EV: Your car must support V2H via CCS2 or CHAdeMO. Confirm this with your manufacturer before purchasing a charger.
- A bidirectional home charger: The charger must be able to receive DC power from your car and deliver it to your home.
- A hybrid inverter or home energy system: Power coming out of your car needs somewhere to go. A hybrid inverter manages the flow between your car, home circuits, solar panels, and battery. Without it, the power from your car cannot reach your appliances.
- Correct grid connection and metering: Depending on your setup, you may need to notify your DNSP and install a smart meter.
- A licensed electrician with the right experience: All EV charger installations in Australia must be carried out by a licensed electrician. For V2H systems, look for an installer with experience in integrated home energy setups.
If you’re starting from scratch, an integrated system like Sigenergy SigenStor combines the inverter, battery, and EV charging in one platform, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility. If you already have solar and a battery, you can add a standalone bidirectional charger, but you’ll need to check if your current inverter works with the new charger before deciding.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about charging your EV from solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, Considerations for Charging Your Electric Vehicles with Solar.
Will Bidirectional Charging Degrade Your EV Battery?
It’s a good question. Every time you charge and discharge your EV battery, it loses a bit of capacity. If V2H means using the battery more often, it’s natural to wonder if it will wear out faster.
The short answer is yes, but the effect is usually small and manageable.
- Depth of discharge matters most. Cycling a battery between 30% and 80% causes far less wear than draining it from 100% to 0%. Most V2H systems let you set floor and ceiling limits so the battery never goes below, say, 20% or above 90%.
- Temperature matters. Frequent deep cycles in a hot, poorly ventilated garage cause more wear than controlled cycles in moderate temperatures.
- Manufacturer warranties vary. Nissan warrants the Leaf battery against significant capacity loss for 8 years. BYD also covers battery capacity on its newer vehicles for 8 years. Some manufacturers have explicitly stated that V2H use does not affect coverage. Others have been vague. Check your warranty documentation or contact your dealer directly.
- For most daily V2H use, the impact is small. Covering a few hours of evening household use each day is much easier on the battery than the worst-case scenarios you might read about online.
Is V2H Worth It If You Already Have a Home Battery?
A home battery and V2H both store energy and let you use it when you need it. If your home battery is already big enough, V2H might not add much benefit. But in some situations, it can still be useful.
V2H adds real value when:
- You have an EV but no home battery. Your car battery steps into the storage role your home is missing. A 64 kWh EV battery dwarfs a standard home battery in capacity.
- You want to expand backup coverage beyond your home battery. A large EV battery (like the 99 kWh Kia EV9) combined with a home battery gives you substantial blackout protection.
- You want to maximise solar self-consumption. More combined storage means more of your solar generation stays in-house rather than being exported for a low feed-in tariff.
V2H adds less value when:
- You already have a large home battery. If you have 20 kWh or more of home storage, adding V2H on top is overkill for most households.
- Your EV barely makes it through your daily commute. If your car regularly returns home nearly empty, it cannot reliably act as a second storage source.
The Sigenergy SigenStor system handles this for you. It manages your solar, home battery, and EV charging together, and automatically decides how to route energy based on your usage, electricity rates, and the time of day. You don’t have to worry about when to discharge your car.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about charging EVs, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Solar (and Battery) Do You Need to Charge an EV in Australia?
PSC Energy’s Recommendation
For homeowners serious about V2H in 2026, here is the practical path forward:
- Check your vehicle first. Before you spend anything on a charger, confirm your EV model and that it supports V2H in Australia. Call your manufacturer or dealer and ask directly.
- Focus on the whole system, not just single products. A bidirectional charger alone won’t give you a working V2H setup. You’ll need the charger, a compatible hybrid inverter, and a good plan for managing your energy.
- Consider the Sigenergy SigenStor system. For homeowners building a full solar and storage setup from scratch, the SigenStor’s integrated DC EV charging module is one of the simplest V2H options available in Australia right now. It removes the guesswork about compatibility that comes with adding a standalone bidirectional charger to an existing system.
- Make sure your installation is done properly. V2H systems are more complicated than regular EV charger setups, so having an experienced installer can save you a lot of hassle.
PSC Energy installs the Sigenergy SigenStor system across NSW. We design whole-home energy setups that combine solar panels, battery storage, and bidirectional EV charging into a single system.
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 2026.
Wrapping Up: Current Affairs in Your Home
Bidirectional EV charging is real and available in Australia, and it works well if you have the right setup. But the market is still new, vehicle compatibility is limited, and you need more than just a wall charger for a working V2H system.
PSC Energy designs and installs complete home energy systems across NSW, including solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging. If you want to see what a bidirectional EV charging setup could look like for your home, contact our team for a free quote.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the price of solar batteries, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Are Solar Batteries? A Full Breakdown of Prices, Rebates, and Value in 2026.
FAQ: Bidirectional EV Charger Questions
What is a bidirectional EV charger?
A bidirectional EV charger can charge and discharge electricity. It charges your car from the grid or solar power, and it can also send power from your car back to your home (V2H) or to the electricity grid (V2G).
Is V2G available for home use in Australia?
Not yet. V2G requires approval from your DNSP and a compatible retailer program. The regulatory framework for residential V2G in Australia is still under development. V2H, which sends power to your home rather than the grid, is available now with compatible vehicles and chargers.
Which bidirectional EV chargers are available in Australia right now?
The Wallbox Quasar 2 is one of the few standalone bidirectional home chargers on the Australian market. The Sigenergy SigenStor system includes an integrated DC EV charging module with bidirectional capability as part of a whole-home energy setup.
Which EVs support V2H in Australia?
The Nissan Leaf (second generation, CHAdeMO), the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and some BYD models have V2H capability. Hyundai and Kia are developing V2H for their CCS2 vehicles. Most EVs currently on the road in Australia, including Teslas, do not support V2H.
Does V2H or bidirectional charging void my EV warranty?
It depends on the manufacturer. Some manufacturers explicitly permit V2H use and state it doesn’t affect the warranty. Others are vague. Check your warranty documentation and contact your dealer before enabling V2H.
Do I need solar panels for V2H to work?
No. V2H moves power from your car to your home regardless of whether you have solar. But pairing V2H with solar means you charge the car for free during the day and use the stored energy at night, where the financial benefit becomes significant.
How much does a V2H setup cost in Australia?
A standalone bidirectional charger like the Wallbox Quasar 2 costs approximately $3,500 to $4,500 installed, not including any inverter changes you may need. A complete Sigenergy SigenStor system with integrated EV charging is a larger investment because it includes the hybrid inverter, battery storage, and EV charging in a single platform. Contact PSC Energy for a quote tailored to your home setup.
