For years, electric cars only drew energy from the grid. But Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) changes everything—your EV can now store, share, and sell energy. Here’s the 2025 homeowner’s guide to turning your car into a money-making battery.
What Exactly is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)?
Vehicle-to-Grid technology transforms your EV into a giant, mobile energy store for your home and the wider UK grid.
Standard EV charging flows one way: Grid → Charger → Car. V2G enables bi-directional charging: Grid ↔ Charger ↔ Car, allowing your EV to both draw and return power.
In short
- Your car can charge from the grid when power is cheap.
- It can discharge back to your home or grid when energy is expensive.
- You save money, reduce grid strain, and support renewable energy.
How Does it Work? The Three Key Ingredients
- A V2G-Compatible EV: Only certain models support two-way charging. The Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 were early leaders (CHAdeMO). Newer CCS-equipped cars from Hyundai, Kia, and Ford are next.
- A Bi-Directional Charger: Unlike standard wallboxes, these manage power flow both ways—charging your EV and feeding energy back safely.
- Smart Software: Managed via an app from your energy provider (e.g., Octopus Energy or OVO Energy), this software determines the best charge and discharge times for savings and income.
The Real-World Benefits: Saving and Earning Money
1. Peak Shaving (Massive Savings)
UK electricity costs fluctuate throughout the day. With V2G, you can charge cheaply overnight and use that power during the costly evening peak (4–7 pm), slashing your bills.
Example:
1 am: Charge your EV at 7p/kWh.
6 pm: Power your home with stored energy instead of paying 35p/kWh.
11 pm: Switch back to grid power as prices drop.
It’s “energy time-travel”—buy low, use high.
2. Grid Balancing (Actively Earning)
Your car can also sell power back to the grid during spikes in demand. Energy companies pay you for helping stabilise the network—your parked car becomes part of a virtual power plant.
What’s the Current Status of V2G in the UK?
- Vehicle Availability: The Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 lead today, but expect rapid adoption from Hyundai, Kia, and Ford as CCS bi-directional standards roll out.
- Charger Costs: V2G wallboxes are currently premium, but prices are dropping as demand grows.
- Energy Supplier Trials: Companies like Octopus and OVO are testing V2G with real customers across the UK.
Stay ahead of the curve—use the ONEEV app to track compatible chargers, tariffs, and future-ready EVs near you.
The Future is Bi-Directional
V2G isn’t a gimmick—it’s key to a greener UK energy system. Millions of EVs could one day store wind and solar power during abundance and return it when demand peaks. It’s energy resilience on wheels.
When buying your next EV, ask: “Is it V2G-ready?” You’re not just choosing transport—you’re choosing the future of home energy.
