AGL announces huge EV vehicle-to-grid trial for 2026
Major energy provider announces ‘landmark’ V2G trial with four car brands involved, plus incentives for select participantsThe News
AGL, Australia’s largest electricity provider, has announced a new residential vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trial that will allow eligible participants across the nation to use their electric vehicles as a power source and transfer energy back to the grid. But only those with a V2G-compatible vehicle from one of four manufacturers – BYD, Hyundai, Kia or Zeekr – are welcome to take part. And, there’s only 100 spots.
The Key Details
- Limited to BYD, Hyundai, Kia and Zeekr owners
- Discounted bi-directional EV charger installation for first 50 participants
- The other 50 will have to arrange their own bi-directional charging hardware
- Trial to begin in 2026 across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and SA
- AGL ensures EV battery warranty won’t be impacted by trial participation
The Finer Details
It’s not the first time Australia has been a testbed for V2G technology which is currently only supported in parts of South Australia (via SA Power Networks) and in New South Wales (Ausgrid and Essential Energy customers) - previous trials have been run in the ACT and Queensland.
Now, AGL’s “landmark” trial will kick off on January 1 and be rolled out across all major national electricity market (NEM) distribution network service providers (DNSPs) in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia.
The aim is to “unlock the full potential” of EV batteries as a flexible energy storage asset, according to AGL, with the firm’s head of innovation and strategy, Renae Gasmier, saying owners need to think about their EV as more than just a car.
“The typical electric car battery can store enough energy to power the average home for around three days,” Gasmier said.
Tipped to help reduce home energy costs and support the grid as more renewable energy comes online, participants’ EVs will be recharged when electricity prices are low, while gaining the ability to earn extra credits by sending surplus power back to the grid.
AGL ensures it has smart software to ensure customers’ EVs are charged and ready to drive when needed.
A range of models currently offer bi-directional charging capabilities in Australia, including the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, Kia EV9, EV6 and EV5, BYD Atto 3, Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross PHEV, Volkswagen ID.4, ID.5 and ID.Buzz, Skoda Enyaq and Nissan Leaf.
However, AGL says only compatible vehicles from BYD, Hyundai, Kia and Zeekr will be included in the trial.
The Road Ahead
The trial is being capped at 100 participants, with AGL set to offer a subsidised bi-directional EV charger (including installation) for the first 50 eligible participants – a set-up that generally costs at least $10,000.
However, while the electricity provider hasn’t disclosed how much participants will pay for the discounted set-up, a spokesperson for AGL confirmed to carsales it would be “about the cost of a regular EV charger”. It also says it’s working towards expanding the trial so that customers “maintain control” with the ability to tell AGL’s V2G platform when they want their car charged and ready to drive.
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