Australia’s clean energy transition has received a significant boost, with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) committing an additional $13.6 million to expand Amber Electric’s electric vehicle (EV) smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) initiative, bringing total project funding to $16.8 million. The expanded pilot is expected to substantially increase participation and accelerate the integration of electric vehicles into the national electricity system.
Under the expanded program, the number of households equipped with V2G capability will rise sharply from 50 to 1,000, enabling more EV owners to export stored energy from their vehicles back to the grid. At the same time, smart charging participation will grow from 950 to 2,000 households, allowing customers to automatically charge their vehicles during periods of low electricity prices and lower emissions.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller emphasized that scaling up V2G deployment requires coordinated efforts across the energy ecosystem. He noted that aligning customers, vehicle manufacturers, network operators, and technology providers is critical to unlocking the full potential of bidirectional charging. He also stressed the importance of building manufacturers’ confidence by ensuring reliable EV battery performance under V2G conditions, supported by validated testing frameworks and warranties.
The initiative will work with global vehicle manufacturers, starting with BYD, to introduce interoperable charging standards that support both importing energy from and exporting it to the grid. A major focus of the project is addressing industry concerns about battery degradation and warranty risks through real-world testing and direct engagement with manufacturers.
The expansion builds on promising early results, with Amber having already completed 25 residential V2G installations and successfully launched its initial smart charging trial. Strong customer interest highlights growing demand for flexible, cost-effective energy solutions that integrate EV ownership with household energy management.
By scaling up the trials, ARENA aims to generate valuable insights into consumer behavior, technology performance, and market integration. These findings are expected to help shape future regulatory frameworks, guide industry investment decisions, and support broader adoption of V2G technology across Australia.
Unlocking V2G capability remains a key element of ARENA’s Driving the Nation program, which aims to accelerate transport decarbonization and strengthen the resilience of the electricity system through innovative energy solutions.