Parked and Powerful: EVs Plug Into Australia’s Grid

CSIRO shows EVs can power homes and the grid, reshaping energy use.

16 Apr 2025

Your car might be parked, but soon it could be powering your home and even helping to keep the lights on across Australia.

In a groundbreaking trial this April, the national science agency CSIRO teamed up with Essential Energy to show that electric vehicles can do more than just charge. Using a Nissan Leaf and a Ford F-150 Lightning, researchers demonstrated that EVs can send electricity back to the grid, delivering up to 11 kilowatts during peak demand through a standard plug.

The trial comes as the federal government rolls out a new home battery rebate, setting the stage for smarter and more flexible energy use. For households already juggling rooftop solar and battery systems, adding vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tech is a logical next step. “People familiar with smart home storage will adapt quickly to bidirectional EV charging,” said Marcus Lee, chief technology officer at JET Charge.

Meanwhile, hardware makers like Wallbox and Sigenergy are racing to get bidirectional chargers certified and on the market by the end of the year. These units come with a higher price tag than traditional chargers, but they offer something new: the chance for EV owners to sell power back to the grid, especially when electricity prices spike.

As Australia leans harder on renewables, the grid will need more flexible backup options. That is where EVs come in. With millions of cars parked at any given time, tapping into that battery capacity could help fill shortfalls and lower household bills.

Energy regulators are already laying the groundwork for how V2G devices will fit into the national network. Incentives to support this tech, including for V2G-ready vehicles, may not be far behind.

Fleets and high-density housing developments are expected to lead the charge. But as technology gets cheaper and more widely available, turning your EV into a mobile power bank could become the norm.

For now, the message is clear: in Australia’s energy future, even a parked car can pull its weight.