Do you want your EV charging business to lead the way among your competitors? You’ll attract the lion’s share of customers when you scale V2G infrastructure to provide standout service.
V2G Charging – It’s Not a Fad; It’s a Revolution
You’ve probably heard all the Debbie Downers trash-talking EV charging. “It’ll strain the grid,” they say. To which we reply, “Think again.”
With vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, EVs can actually feed energy back into the grid. Leverage that capability across your operations, and you can help your customers save money – even earn a little extra during peak times when local utilities need a little boost to avoid outages.
Here’s how.
V2G technology requires specialized equipment that enables a bidirectional energy flow. As an EV Range post puts it, this capability turns EVs into “mobile energy storage units,” allowing owners to provide the local utility with the electricity it needs to keep the lights on across its service area. Here are only some of the benefits you’ll enjoy when you leverage B2G infrastructure.
1. A Revenue Stream for EV Owners
To compensate EV drivers for providing them with extra energy, utilities pay owners either in credits toward their energy bills or in cash, as bank deposits at regular intervals. EV charging equipment manufacturers have already begun to incorporate this technology into new chargers, according to the EV Range article.
For owners, this capability is a game-changer. Owners need only charge their cars at night when rates are lower and then drive to work and feed some of their vehicles’ excess energy back into the grid for maximum compensation.
Talk about a passive stream of income. All owners need to do is plug their car into a V2G-enabled charger and watch their bank accounts grow.
2. An Alternate Energy Source for Utilities
Furthermore, using EVs as additional power sources enables utilities to incorporate more renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Before the advent of V2G charging, renewables had to depend on optimum weather conditions or use a fossil fuel-powered energy source as a backup.
3. An Asset for Fleet Charging Facilities
If you’re in the business of supplying commercial EV fleets with charging equipment, you might want to plan to expand your offerings to include bidirectional chargers. Fleet owners have discovered that the benefits of V2G technology can provide them, too, with extra income.
As Qmerit senior vice president Ken Sapp advises, commercial (and even non-profit) fleet owners can generate extra revenue by putting their vehicles to work even when they’re off the clock. If a company’s fleet vehicles’ batteries are capable of bidirectional charging, they can send excess electrical energy back to the grid, earning a credit on the company’s electric bill each month.
Alternatively, fleet owners can also route their EVs’ energy back into their company buildings as a backup during power outages or as a regular source of free electricity for smaller outbuildings or offices. In addition, food service fleet owners can use their vehicles’ excess energy to power their appliances or charge smaller delivery vehicles, such as cars or e-bikes.
In addition, fleet vehicles equipped with bidirectional charging can feed their excess energy into backup batteries – if your facility has them, and we recommend you do so. If you also have an alternative power source for your chargers or storage batteries, such as a wind turbine or solar panels, you can lessen your dependence on the grid even more.
4. A Boon to Commercial EV Charging Stations
Getting in on the V2G wave early in your community can set you apart from your competitors, making your station the fueling option of choice for EV owners around town. Having the option to charge their cars and earn a little money by exchanging their batteries’ stored energy for a little extra in the bank will delight your current customers – and word-of-mouth reputation will do the rest.
What Challenges Will I Have to Overcome to Leverage V2G Infrastructure?
As Sapp’s article warns, several roadblocks still exist while switching at least some of your chargers to V2G-capable ones. These challenges include:
V2G charging could shorten battery life: Bidirectional charging requires more charging and discharging cycles. Since battery capacity shortens with extensive use, your V2G customers might need to replace their cars’ batteries sooner than those without bidirectional capability.
However, as the previously cited EV Range article points out, the latest research shows that V2G charging requires only a “minimal” charging cycle depth. In addition, newer EV models sport batteries that can easily handle V2G charging “without significant degradation.”
- Not all EVs support bidirectional charging: While a growing number of EVs – especially newer models – support V2G and other bidirectional charging capabilities, many do not. For that reason, you’ll need to target your marketing to owners of those vehicles that do enable V2G. Encourage those customers wanting to upgrade their ride to think about purchasing a car that does permit V2G. Keep some older, non-V2G chargers on your property so that you can serve those customers whose cars do not support V2G charging.
- Your utility company may not be V2G-ready: Since V2G is such a new form of technology, not all local utility companies have an infrastructure robust enough to handle V2G charging stations, as a Just Energy blog post points out. Research carefully before you purchase V2G chargers for your facility. Better yet, if your utility does support bidirectional charging, work with their team to learn how to integrate V2G into your facility. If your utility isn’t ready, encourage its leadership to invest in infrastructure that supports this fast-growing technology.
Plan for a V2G Future for Optimum Business Growth
Even if your utility company isn’t ready to handle the additional load of V2G charging, it soon will be. With the V2G market’s projected growth from over 14 million in 2024 to nearly 117 million by 2032, you don’t want to fall behind in this critical industry.
To scale your V2G infrastructure in the future, you need to have real estate and funds available to install bidirectional chargers when they become feasible in your area. So, set aside enough cash to invest in V2G infrastructure and enough land to expand your collection of EV charging stations.
Incorporate Renewables and Battery Storage
As a Virta post notes, the nation’s move toward renewable energy sources has given the EV charging industry a near-infinite, free source of electricity. However, since both the sun and wind aren’t predictable, people who use renewables should also invest in “new ways of balancing and storing renewable energy.”
EV batteries, of course, can step into the gap by furnishing needed energy when the grid runs dry – or the wind turbines aren’t moving. With only V2G charging stations and no other equipment, they are indeed the “most cost-efficient form of energy storage.”
But what about the charging stations themselves? Those who fuel the nation’s growing number of EVs should also have a backup plan, as should those companies that supply them with equipment.
- For EV charging stations: Think about including backup battery storage, wind turbines, and solar panels near charging stations to augment the electricity coming from the grid. The more you decrease their load, the more energy they’ll have to power future V2G charging installations.
- For EV charging infrastructure providers: If your business sells EV charging stations or other charging infrastructure, consider expanding your offerings to include on-site batteries for storing excess energy. In addition, you could also sell solar panels and wind turbines to help your charging station-owning customers achieve optimum success.
Involve Local Officials
Encourage local officials to incorporate V2G-enabled electric vehicles into their first responder and other fleets. Their ability to provide power to keep critical infrastructure running during an emergency can save lives, as an Electrification Coalition white paper points out.
With local government’s involvement, local utilities will likely pick up the pace to purchase and install all the infrastructure they’ll need to support V2G charging for critical services. With that development, EV owners will then have the capacity to leverage their cars’ energy to power their homes, earn passive income, or shave down their utility bills.
Encourage Automakers to Speed Up V2G Development
Although many brands of EVs now include V2G charging capability, there are still a few who haven’t incorporated the new technology. EV charging companies can encourage these brands to pick up the pace.
The more convenience EV charging brings to the table, the more likely shoppers will choose an EV for their next car. Therefore, both automakers and charging businesses have much to gain by making V2G charging go mainstream.
The good news? Tesla, the nation’s largest EV producer, has already committed to equip its entire 2025 line with bidirectional charging capability. As an AFRY article points out, Tesla could be the “most effective” company to move the needle on industry-wide V2G adoption. More automakers, like GM and others, have already stepped up to the plate with V2G pilot programs.
Learn More About the Benefits of V2G for Your Business at the EV Charging Summit
Catch up on all the latest developments in V2G and other leading-edge EV technologies at the next EV Charging Summit event. Interact with some of the top leaders in the EV charging space while building your network of passionate EV charging professionals.
Some sessions require separate registration – so be sure to check the agenda before you click the “send” button. Register for your spot at our next event today!
