Energy retailer Amber will expand its vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program to 1,000 Australian homes in what is the largest residential V2G rollout nationally to date.
The expansion, backed by $13.6 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), builds on strong early results from Amber’s initial 50-charger trial with EV manufacturer BYD, giving more Australian households the ability to turn their EVs into “batteries on wheels” that can power their homes, cut energy bills, and earn from selling stored energy back into the grid.
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The trial builds on BYD’s confirmation that it will warrant all customers’ EVs participating in the trial, removing one of the last major barriers to V2G adoption in Australia. With close to 6,000 Australians already on the V2G waitlist, the expansion responds to real and growing demand for the technology.
Amber co-CEO Chris Thompson said the expansion signals that V2G in Australia has moved from promise to reality.
“Our initial rollout proved it works. 1,000 homes proves it scales. We’ve already seen a South Australian customer earn $500 in a single afternoon during a heatwave, customers can now save thousands annually through V2G. This expansion positions Australia as a world leader in V2G, and we see a future where millions of Australians buying EVs in the next few years can do the same,” he said.
“Unlike other V2G plans that require minimum plug-in time and offer fixed price tariffs, Amber combines wholesale energy with smart automation so customers can earn the full value from their exports, power their homes through vehicle-to-home technology, and retain complete control. Real money back in people’s pockets and a grid that relies less on gas and coal.”
The expansion will include the installation of V2G-capable chargers into customers homes, with a smart software solution integrated directly with Amber, providing access to wholesale prices that maximises value.
Launching the expansion in Lidcombe, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the project was about making sure more Australians could benefit from vehicle-to-grid technology in the years ahead.
“Vehicle-to-grid technology means your car does not just get you from A to B, it can help power your home and support the grid,” Minister Bowen said.
“Australians with rooftop solar will be able to use their car to store the energy they’ve generated and then use that cheap, clean energy when they need it most.
“With vehicle to grid, they’ll then be able to use that power however they choose—whether that’s selling it back to the grid, powering their homes or driving one of the cheapest-to-run cars on the road.”
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Customers face no minimum plug-in time and keep the full value their EV generates—whether that’s powering their home, storing excess solar or selling energy back to the grid when prices are high.
Independent verification of the trial’s modelling and outcomes will be led by enX, ensuring results are validated and can be used by regulators, industry partners and policymakers.
