What if your car was not just a way to get to work, but a way to pay your mortgage? In 2026, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) has moved from “interesting pilot project” to something far more practical: a genuine way for UK homeowners to cut charging costs, earn credits, and turn a parked car into a flexible energy asset.
The big idea is simple. Your EV spends most of its life doing absolutely nothing, usually parked outside your house. V2G changes that by letting the battery act like a mini power station during the most expensive part of the day, then refilling when electricity is cheaper and greener.
What is V2G?
V2G is bidirectional charging. Electricity flows into your car when you charge, and flows back out when the grid needs support. Most programmes focus on the UK’s evening peak, broadly the 4pm to 7pm window when households get home, put the kettle on, cook dinner, and energy demand jumps.
In practice, you plug in at home, set your “I need the car to be at X% by morning” requirement, and the tariff software schedules charging and exporting around that. Some tariffs, such as Octopus Energy’s Power Pack, are designed to automatically schedule charging and exporting.
How the money is made
V2G value typically comes from two places:
- Cheaper charging, or even “free” charging in return for letting the provider manage your charge and export schedule.
- Credits for exporting electricity back to the grid during peak demand windows, depending on scheme design and supplier terms.
When you hear figures like “£800 a year”, treat it as a blended outcome, typically a mix of reduced charging cost plus export-related credits, rather than a guaranteed cash payment for everyone.
The numbers people are talking about in 2026
Bundle-style offerings and managed V2G tariffs have made the headline savings easier to understand, but outcomes depend on mileage, tariff baseline, and how often the car is plugged in at home.
- Up to £620 per year: Some bundle materials state savings up to £620 a year versus charging on a standard variable home energy tariff.
- More than £850 per year: Some supplier communications describe average savings of more than £850 a year in charging costs compared with a standard variable tariff.
What do you need?
1) A compatible car
V2G is currently a compatible ecosystem, not a universal feature. Compatibility is often tied to approved car-and-charger combinations. Always check the supplier’s published compatibility list before you buy hardware.
2) A bidirectional charger
You need a charger that supports electricity flowing both ways. Availability and certification are improving, but it is not universal yet. The most important factor is whether the charger is supported by your chosen V2G programme.
3) A smart meter
Two-way energy needs reliable measurement. Smart meters provide the granular data used to log consumption and export, supporting time-of-use rewards and smart charging models.
The ONEEV edge
V2G is easiest when you are in control of three things: when you buy energy, what it costs, and whether your routine keeps the car plugged in when the tariff needs it. Managing “buy low, export high” can feel complex, especially if you occasionally charge away from home.
ONEEV helps you make smarter public charging choices by finding reliable locations when you do need to top up away from home, so you can reserve home charging for the schedules that suit your energy plan. It is not about turning you into an energy trader. It is about removing the guesswork so your charging habits support the way you want to run your home energy.
Bottom line
In 2026, V2G has become a credible “paid to park” opportunity for UK homeowners, but it is not magic. The best results come from a compatible car, an approved bidirectional charger, a smart meter, and a lifestyle that keeps your car plugged in at home when the grid needs flexibility.
FAQs
When does V2G typically export electricity back to the grid?
Many schemes focus on weekday evening peak demand, commonly around 4pm to 7pm, when household electricity use rises.
Is V2G guaranteed to earn £800 per year?
No. Figures often combine savings from cheaper or free home charging with export credits. Outcomes vary by mileage, tariff, and how often your car is plugged in and available to export.
Can any EV do V2G?
Not yet. V2G depends on compatible vehicle hardware and approved charger integrations. Many programmes only support specific car-and-charger combinations today.
Do I need a smart meter for V2G?
In most cases, yes. Smart meters provide the measurement needed for time-based rewards and accurate import and export tracking.
How can ONEEV help with a V2G setup?
If you sometimes charge away from home, ONEEV helps you find reliable charging locations so you can align home charging with your V2G schedule and reduce wasted detours.
Helpful links
External references: Octopus Power Pack, Octopus Power Pack press release, UK Government smart charging action plan.
