Vehicle to grid programmes can be of benefit to both electric vehicles and grid operators - Denis Watling

There is a common misconception that EVs burden the grid, adding strain to an already stretched system. Contrary to this belief, EVs have the potential to become a significant asset to the grid.

By using smart charging technology, EV owners can participate in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programmes and facilitate the bidirectional flow of electricity between their vehicles and the grid. This technology not only empowers EV owners to optimise their charging schedules for times of the day when energy costs are lower – thus reducing their energy costs – but also provides grid operators with invaluable flexibility in managing electricity demand and supply. Through V2G technology, EVs can act as mobile energy storage units. When integrated effectively, EVs can actually alleviate pressure on the grid by storing excess energy during times of low demand and releasing it during peak periods, effectively smoothing out fluctuations and reducing strain on infrastructure.

The economic benefits of V2G technology are becoming increasingly apparent. For example, Octopus Energy recently reported customers participating in the Powerloop V2G trial realised a saving of up to £840 per year compared to unmanaged charging on a flat tariff when adjusted to an annual mileage of 10,000 miles.

The tangible financial incentives for consumers to adopt V2G technology and actively participate in energy management are there; and as such this technology has the potential to completely revolutionise our energy landscape.

In fact, according to National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios, V2G charging could provide up to 38GW of flexible power from 5.5 million EVs. This extra electricity would cover all of the increased power needs for the UK in the highest-demand scenario for 2050.

We are not far away from these numbers – as of March 2024, the UK had over one million EVs on the road and by 2030 it is predicted that this number will be between 8 million and 11 million. The added benefit is that energy from the grid is generally ‘greenest’ at periods of least demand, thanks to a higher percentage of renewable energy generation. EVs and V2G technology combined enables the storage and redistribution of sustainable energy and in turn, can help the UK achieve its net zero goals.

EVs & V2G technology also pave a route to sustainable UK energy independence, enabling energy democracy at a national level.

Right now, V2G technology isn’t cheap or widely available enough. But in the not-too-distant future, as more people use EVs, no doubt the technology will evolve to become affordable and widely available.

Denis Watling is managing director of ChargeGuru UK.