The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is boosting its support for Amber Electric to help take vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) technology to the next stage in Australia.
ARENA is providing an additional $13.6 million in funding to expand Amber's EV charging project, bringing total funding to $16.8 million, which will significantly scale up the number of Australian households able to participate in V2G and smart electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Under the expanded trial, the number of participating households with V2G capability will grow from 50 to 1,000, allowing more EV owners to export power from their cars back to the grid. It will also expand smart charging from 950 to 2,000 households as part of the project, enabling these trial customers to automatically charge their EVs when electricity is cheapest and lowest in emissions.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the expansion would address key barriers to V2G deployment in Australia.
"To unlock V2G at scale, we need to bring together customers, car makers, networks and technology providers," Mr Miller said.
"A big part of that is giving manufacturers the confidence their vehicles will perform as expected, including through validated approaches to battery use and warranties."
"This project brings those pieces together to demonstrate how EVs can become an active part of the energy system. That means savings for owners and better utilisation of the grid, which can bring down the cost of the network for everyone."
The project will work with global car manufacturers, starting with BYD, to implement charging standards that allow EVs to both charge from and send energy back to the grid, while addressing key warranty concerns through real‑world battery testing and collaboration with manufacturers.
The project builds on strong early progress, with Amber already delivering its initial smart charging trial and demonstrating strong customer interest, with 25 V2G residential sites already complete.
By expanding the project at scale, ARENA expects to generate critical insights into customer behaviour, technology performance and market integration, helping to inform future policy, industry investment and broader adoption of V2G technology in Australia.
Unlocking V2G is a core focus under the Driving the Nation Program. Visit the funding page and read the latest Program Guidelines for details on how to apply.
