V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology lets electric vehicles send excess battery charge back to the home or grid when not driving — selling electricity during peak pricing periods and charging during off-peak hours, realizing the economic value of “mobile storage.” This concept has rapidly deployed in 2024–2026 as peak-to-trough electricity price differentials widen and bidirectional charging hardware becomes more common.
How V2G Works
V2G requires three conditions simultaneously: V2G-capable vehicle (battery and control systems must support bidirectional charge/discharge); bidirectional charger (standard chargers only charge; V2G chargers support discharging); smart meter or home energy management system (coordinates charge/discharge timing to maximize economic benefit).
Average EV battery capacity is approximately 60–100 kWh; daily driving consumes approximately 10–20 kWh, leaving 40–80 kWh of storage capacity available for V2G scheduling. In regions where peak-to-trough price differentials exceed 0.5 CNY/kWh (Guangdong, Zhejiang), V2G economic returns are quite significant. V2G technology guide.
V2G-Capable Models (2026)
Nissan Leaf: Earliest commercially deployed V2G vehicle, with large real-world deployments in Japan and Europe; 6 kW charge/discharge power. BYD Seal/Yangwang U8: Supports V2G and V2H (vehicle-to-home), maximum 11 kW discharge power, can serve as backup power for homes during outages. NIO ES6/ES8: Supports V2H mode with NIO home charger, can function as home energy storage system. Hyundai IONIQ 5/6: Mature V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality, 220V power directly for electrical devices.
Household V2G Revenue Estimate
Using Shanghai as an example: peak electricity price (8 AM–10 PM) approximately 1.3–1.5 CNY/kWh; valley price (10 PM–8 AM) approximately 0.5–0.6 CNY/kWh. An EV with 80 kWh battery doing 30 kWh peak-trough arbitrage daily (charge 30 kWh overnight, discharge back 30 kWh during day) earns approximately 0.7 CNY/kWh margin, ~21 CNY/day, ~7,600 CNY/year — enough to cover charger cost amortization and additional battery wear.
Value to the Grid
Large-scale V2G can address the intermittency problem of renewable energy (solar, wind) — when solar generation is high during the day, large numbers of EVs charge and store energy; during evening peak consumption, V2G fleets collectively discharge to help the grid with peak shaving and valley filling. This is an important national energy policy initiative, with multiple provinces having launched V2G subsidy programs.
