Aussie car owners now have a new opportunity to earn extra income thanks to a major move by one of the country’s biggest retailers.
Australian EV owners will now be able to power their homes using their cars and sell energy back into the grid following a groundbreaking initiative that’s set to transform the way we use and store renewable energy.
This move marks a major step forward for sustainability, allowing electric vehicle owners with compatible cars and hardware to:
- Power their homes during a blackout,
- Absorb excess solar energy and pump it back into their house during peak demand,
- Sell surplus energy back to the grid for profit.
Customers with Ausgrid - the largest distributor in New South Wales, covering more than 1.7 million homes across Sydney, the Central Coast, and the Hunter Valley - can now apply to have vehicle-to-grid (V2G) electric car hardware installed.
This innovative two-way flow of energy transforms EVs into mobile batteries, giving owners the chance to support the grid during high-demand periods while also achieving greater energy independence.
How Vehicle-to-Grid Works
Group Executive of Distributed Services, Rob Amphlett Lewis, said tapping into V2G is an exciting milestone that unlocks new opportunities for customers and the broader electricity network.
“We’ve done the foundational work to understand how to integrate this V2G technology safely and effectively, and our customers can now begin to benefit,” he said.
“Customers can use their EV batteries to sell excess energy back to the grid during peak times and recharge at off-peak rates, creating an additional source of income.”
Ausgrid joins SA Power Networks in South Australia and Essential Energy in NSW in offering support for V2G technology. Bi-directional charging has technically been possible for years, but only certain cars - like the Nissan Leaf EV and Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid - currently have this capability.
New Standards Pave the Way
While the rollout of V2G has been slow due to regulatory hurdles and carmaker permissions, progress is now being made. In November 2024, Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, announced new standards for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) capabilities at the Sydney International EV AutoShow.
Fatima Bazzi, Head of Customer Connections, says the development will help both households and the broader energy grid: “V2G allows EVs to discharge energy back to the grid during periods of high demand, alleviating stress on the network and improving overall grid performance.”
“This means we can better manage network stress, improve overall grid performance, and potentially defer costly infrastructure upgrades, ultimately benefiting all our customers.”
More EV models are expected to support V2G as more carmakers get on board and required wallbox chargers and software become available.
How to Get Involved
Interested EV owners should check with their local distributor - such as Ausgrid, SA Power Networks, or Essential Energy - to see if they’re eligible to have V2G hardware installed at home.
This exciting new side hustle gives Australians the chance to turn their cars into valuable income-generating assets while supporting a more sustainable energy future.
For more details on how to apply and the latest updates, visit your local energy provider’s website.
