V2G and V2H in Australia: Can your EV power your home?

V2L, V2H and V2G: the difference

• V2L (vehicle to load): a power socket in or on the car runs appliances, tools or a fridge. Many EVs have it now, and it needs no approval. See EVs with V2L.
• V2H (vehicle to home): the car runs your house through a two-way (bidirectional) charger wired into the switchboard.
• V2G (vehicle to grid): the same hardware, but spare power also flows out to the grid, and a retailer pays you for it.

V2H and V2G both need three things: a car that allows it, an approved two-way charger, and your electricity network's approval.

Chargers you can buy

Three bidirectional chargers are on the Clean Energy Council's approved list, which most networks require. All are DC units, which is why they cost several times more than an ordinary wall charger.

Installation is extra: Amber estimates about $2,000–$4,000. RedEarth has announced a $9,990 (plus GST) charger, the Boomerang, but we couldn't confirm it is on the approved list. For comparison, a normal one-way charger costs about $770–$1,600 plus installation. A cheaper approach is also in development: Australian company Merge Energy says its V2G-Key wallbox will feed the car's power through your existing solar inverter instead of a separate two-way charger, with a launch targeted for late 2027. It has no price or approvals listed yet. What we know about V2G-Key ›

Which cars can do it?

This is the bottleneck. Many EVs have the hardware, but the carmaker has to switch the feature on and cover it under warranty.

The ACT Government's advice applies everywhere: check your car's warranty first, because warranties generally don't cover exporting energy outside current trials.

Network rules by state

Every network needs an application before a two-way charger is installed, usually lodged by your installer. Most treat it like a solar or battery system.

How to try it now: the trials

• Amber Electric. The biggest program. Federal agency ARENA added $13.6 million in May 2026 to grow it from 50 to 1,000 homes. You need an eligible BYD, a charger bought through the program and an Amber subscription. Amber reported more than 50 homes live and over 8,000 people on the waitlist in September 2026.
• AGL. A trial of about 100 cars across four states with Hyundai, Kia, BYD and Zeekr.
• Origin. Has trialled a subscription that bundles a BYD Atto 3 with a StarCharge Halo charger.

Is it worth it yet?

A rough sum: if your car soaks up spare solar during the day and then runs the house for 8 kWh each evening, you avoid buying that power at about 34c and give up a feed-in credit of about 6c. In NSW that is about $810 a year. Against a charger and installation costing roughly $8,000–$14,000, payback is 10 years or more.

Selling to the grid at the right moments can earn more: Amber says customers on its wholesale rates can save about $2,000–$2,500 a year, and one earned more than $500 in a single afternoon during a heatwave. Those are Amber's figures, and results vary a lot.

• It can make sense if you already own an eligible BYD, have solar, the car is home most days, and you'd otherwise buy a home battery.
• It doesn't yet if the car is away at work during the day, or your car isn't covered by its maker.
• Cheaper ways to save now: an EV electricity plan, charging from solar or free midday power, or a home battery.