You may have heard that your electric vehicle can do more than just get you from place to place. Some people say it can power your home or even help you earn money by selling electricity back to the grid.
But when terms like V2H, V2G, and bidirectional charging come up, things can quickly get confusing.
At PSC Energy, we install bidirectional charging technology every day. We hear these questions often and know how confusing it can be. Most articles on this topic are aimed at engineers, not homeowners.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- V2H Powers Your Home, V2G Powers the Grid
- What V2H Actually Looks Like Day-to-Day
- What V2G Looks Like and Why Australia Is Still Catching Up
- Which One Is Right for You?
- FAQ: V2H vs. V2G Australia
By the end of this article, you’ll understand what V2H and V2G mean, how each works in a typical Australian home, which EVs and chargers support them today, and which option could be right for you.
V2H Powers Your Home, V2G Powers the Grid
Before we dive in, here’s the main difference:
- Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) lets your EV battery send electricity into your house. Your car works like a home battery, storing solar energy during the day and powering your home at night.
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) allows your EV battery to send electricity back to the grid. Energy retailers may pay you for this power, especially when demand is high.
It’s the same car and the same battery; the only difference is where the power goes.
Both V2H and V2G require a bidirectional charger. This type of charger can both charge your car and send power back to the grid. Standard EV chargers only work one way.
What V2H Actually Looks Like Day-to-Day
V2H makes your EV an active part of your home’s energy system. Here’s what a typical day looks like with V2H and rooftop solar:
- Your solar panels generate electricity throughout the morning.
- Your home uses what it needs, and the leftover flows into your parked EV.
- By late afternoon, your car battery is full.
- After sunset, your home draws power from your EV instead of the grid.
- You wake up the next morning with a charged EV and minimal grid usage overnight.
That’s the main benefit of V2H. A mid-sized EV can store 60 kWh or more, which is several times the capacity of a typical home battery, usually between 10 and 20 kWh.
V2H does have some real-world limits you should know about:
- Your car needs to be at home and plugged in for V2H to work. If you leave for work at 7am and come back at 6pm, V2H won’t support your home during those hours, even if there’s a midday blackout.
- You need to manage your driving range. If V2H uses a large chunk of your battery overnight, you might not have the range you need in the morning.
- If your V2H system has grid-forming mode, it can keep your solar panels working during a blackout. This lets your panels keep charging your EV during an outage, so your home can still run on solar even when the grid is down. Not all bidirectional chargers have this feature, so check the specs carefully.
- V2H is different from V2L (Vehicle-to-Load), which only powers appliances plugged directly into your car. V2H connects to your home’s switchboard and can power your whole house.
V2H is a good fit for people who work from home, have two EVs (so one can stay plugged in), or whose car is usually parked at 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.
What V2G Looks Like and Why Australia Is Still Catching Up
V2G works through the electricity grid, not directly through your home. Here’s how it works:
- Your EV charges up using solar, off-peak grid power, or both.
- When the grid is under pressure, like on hot summer evenings when many people are running air conditioning, your car sends stored energy back to the grid.
- Your energy retailer pays you for this electricity, often at a higher rate than the standard feed-in tariff.
Some platforms, such as Amber Energy, use wholesale electricity pricing. This means you can earn much more during peak events compared to the flat feed-in tariff most retailers offer.
Here’s what V2G does not do:
- It does not power your home directly. The energy goes through the grid, and you buy and sell electricity through your meter as usual.
- It does not work during a blackout. V2G is not grid-forming. When the grid goes down, your V2G system stops exporting, and your home goes dark unless you have a separate backup solution.
The main challenge in Australia right now is availability. V2G requires:
- An EV that supports the feature (very few models do commercially in Australia today).
- A bidirectional charger approved for grid export.
- Sign-off from your Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) — the company that manages the poles and wires in your area.
- An energy retailer that supports V2G tariffs.
Regulations are getting better. Australia updated its grid connection standards in 2024, but rules still vary between states and network operators.
V2G trials have taken place in South Australia, and in February 2024, EVs in Canberra sent power back to the grid to help Melbourne homes during storm blackouts. This was the first real-world V2G emergency response anywhere in the world.
The technology works, but the commercial infrastructure is still catching up.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about bidirectional considerations, you might want to check out the following article titled, Solar Batteries vs. Electric Car Batteries: Which One Should Power My Home?
Which One Is Right for You?
V2H is worth exploring if:
- You have rooftop solar and want to use more of it rather than exporting it cheaply.
- Your EV spends significant time at home during the day.
- You want backup power during blackouts without buying a separate home battery.
- You’re comfortable managing your battery level around your driving schedule.
V2G is worth exploring if:
- You want to earn income from your stored energy, not just reduce your bills.
- You’re on a dynamic electricity plan like Amber, which pays wholesale rates during peak events.
- You’re comfortable with a system that’s still early-stage in Australia and may require more setup complexity.
If you’re not sure, a home battery might be the most practical choice for now. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program helps lower upfront costs, installation is simple, and home batteries work no matter where your car is parked.
V2H and V2G are exciting options, but they fit certain households best and should be planned with an experienced installer.
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?
Wrapping Up: Your Car Just Got a Second Job
V2H and V2G both let you use your EV battery for more than just driving. V2H sends energy to your home, which can lower your bills and provide backup power during outages.
V2G sends energy to the grid, so you can earn money during high-demand times. Each option needs different chargers, approvals, and suits different households.
At PSC Energy, we install bidirectional charging systems across Australia and help homeowners work out what’s possible for their home, their EV, and their energy goals. If you’re thinking about V2H or V2G, call us for a free quote. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning more about EV chargers, you might want to check out this guide titled, The 10 Best Home EV Chargers in Australia.
FAQ: V2H vs. V2G Australia
What is the difference between V2H and V2G?
V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) sends power from your EV into your home to run appliances and reduce grid use. V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) sends power from your EV back into the electricity grid, where your energy retailer pays you for it. V2H saves money. V2G can earn money.
Can I do both V2H and V2G with the same setup?
Some chargers and EVs support both, but each function has its own requirements. V2G needs grid-export approval from your DNSP and a compatible energy retailer. V2H needs a grid-forming capable charger for full blackout backup. Confirm compatibility with your installer before buying.
Does V2H work during a blackout?
Yes, but only if your bidirectional charger supports grid-forming mode. In grid-forming mode, your charger creates a stable local power supply for your home and can keep your solar panels running during an outage. Not all bidirectional chargers offer this. Check the product specs.
Does V2G work during a blackout?
No. V2G requires a live grid connection to export electricity. When the grid goes down, V2G stops working entirely.
Will V2H or V2G damage my EV battery?
Both add charge cycles to your battery, which can contribute to gradual degradation over time. However, modern EV batteries are designed to withstand heavy daily cycling, and brands like BYD and Ford have stated that smart bidirectional charging isn’t a significant warranty concern. Ask your installer how the system manages charge cycles and review your EV manufacturer’s warranty terms.
How much does a bidirectional charger cost in Australia?
The Sigenergy SigenStor starts at around $7,500 before installation. Standard one-way chargers typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000. Installation costs vary depending on your home’s switchboard, power supply, and whether DNSP approval is required.
Do I need solar panels for V2H or V2G?
Solar is not strictly required, but it makes both significantly more valuable. With solar, you charge your EV for free during the day and either use that stored energy at night (V2H) or export it during peak periods (V2G). Without solar, you’re charging from the grid, and the economics are less compelling.
What is a DNSP, and why does it matter for V2G?
A DNSP (Distributed Network Service Provider) is the company that manages the electricity network in your area, including the poles and wires. For V2G, your DNSP must approve your charger and system before you can export power to the grid. Approval requirements vary by state and network operator.
Is V2G available in Australia right now?
Commercially, V2G is still very limited in Australia. Some trials have taken place in South Australia and the ACT, and the technology has been used in real emergencies. However, widespread availability depends on more compatible EVs, approved chargers, DNSP approval, and retailer support. It’s on the way, but most households can’t access it yet without careful planning.
