Vehicle-Grid Network: Accelerating Australia’s electric vehicle-to-grid integration through cross-sector collaboration

Chief investigator

Prof. Stuart White (UTS)

Chris Lee (Climate-KIC)

The Vehicle-Grid Network (VGN) is Australia’s first national collaboration network accelerating electric vehicle-to-grid integration through cross-sector partnerships, knowledge sharing, and innovation.

Purpose of project

In 2024, the National Roadmap for Bidirectional EV Charging was commissioned by RACE for 2030 in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). It outlines the critical path to achieving commercial adoption of bidirectional EV charging in Australia and highlights the potential of bidirectional EV charging to reduce electricity costs and accelerate national emissions reduction. Recommendations from this roadmap included the development of a Vehicle-Grid Network, to nationally coordinate, cross-sectoral collaboration and education to accelerate the deployment of bidirectional EV charging while maximising benefits for consumers and the grid.

The opportunity for bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) charging is gaining momentum in Australia. With EV sales rising, there is increasing potential to reduce household and business energy bills through supporting the energy grid as a source of flexible battery energy storage. Recent product launches, partnership announcements, and media attention are fuelling interest, and early pilots are aiming to demonstrate the potential system and consumer benefits.

Yet, the industry is still developing. The availability of V2G-enabled vehicles and chargers is increasing, but the pathway to adoption isn’t yet simple or frictionless. Consumers and businesses are still navigating complex questions around compatibility, connection approvals, local certification, warranties, and retail and Virtual Power Plant program participation. Industry and government are supporting emerging business models, value propositions, certifications, standards, and regulations, however variations exist across use cases and regions. These conditions make it difficult and costly for any single organisation to move quickly or confidently to create the market on their own.

Impact of Project

To address this gap, the Vehicle-Grid Network is being established as Australia’s first collaboration network for accelerating electric vehicle-to-grid integration. The project in partnership with the RACE for 2030 CRC and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, is led by Climate-KIC Australia and the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney.

VGN will be a national point of synthesis on V2G. It aims to connect and amplify efforts across the ecosystem, streamline processes, create local and international market signals, and embed emerging evidence into policy and industry decision-making. Over three years, VGN will convene leaders from across the ecosystem to address critical coordination gaps and enable a smooth, timely transition to V2G integration. Through industry roundtables and working groups, VGN will accelerate the scaling of V2G in Australia by:

• establishing a nationally coordinated industry collaboration network to align industry, government and researchers on shared priorities for V2G integration
• strengthening technical and market foundations by enabling interoperability, supporting evolving domestic and international standards, and unlocking shared commercial and regulatory barriers
• building sector and consumer capability through trusted information, educational resources, events, and practical tools
• positioning Australia for international leadership in V2G services to deliver a cleaner, more resilient and affordable transport and energy systems.

Call To Action – Join the Vehicle-Grid Network

The Vehicle-Grid Network is a unique network for key stakeholders throughout the entire vehicle-to-grid value chain with up-to-date insights. We are continuing to seek leading partners from industry and government to join VGN. If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, reach out to Project Lead, Nodoka Nakamichi: Nodoka.Nakamichi@uts.edu.au.

Research Partners

Funding Partner

Project Partners

In-kind Partners

Australian Electric Vehicle Association, Electric Vehicle Council, enX Consulting, Net Zero Engineering Solutions, Smart Energy Council, Vehicle Grid Integration Council, Yarra Energy Foundation