Unlocking V2G Potential: From Hurdles to Solutions

Where Does V2G Stand Today?

The technical feasibility of bidirectional charging has already been proven in various pilot projects. Both vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) are technically feasible. The added value of the technology for the energy system has already been shown in many studies. Market-oriented applications of V2G in particular have the potential to make an important contribution to the energy system of the future.  

However, the scaling of V2G is not yet a foregone conclusion and the widespread use of the technology is by no means pre-programmed, although many of the companies involved clearly see the path ahead and want to take it quickly. For a variety of reasons, key stakeholders and parts of the public are still unclear and skeptical about bidirectional charging and V2G in particular. It is undisputed that there are still a number of key obstacles to the successful ramp-up of the technology in various areas that need to be overcome quickly and pragmatically. 

Where Do We Want to Go?

The roadmap published in spring 2024 by the advisory board of the National Control Center for non-discriminatory bidirectional charging emphasizes that the “necessary regulatory and technical course must be set” for a ramp-up of bidirectional charging. But what exactly are these changes? And how can they be set quickly and pragmatically?  

As part of this FfE project, the added value of V2G – focusing on the market-oriented charging and discharging of electric vehicles – were first classified in a scientifically neutral manner based on the latest findings from research and industry and presented in a clearly understandable way. Based on this, existing hurdles that stand in the way of the successful ramp-up of V2G were identified and categorized. The aim of this initial work was to create a common understanding of added value and hurdles. In the second step – building on this basis for discussion – solution concepts for overcoming these hurdles were developed and evaluated. The final result is an implementation roadmap with clearly structured recommendations for the realization of important solution options in order to enable the market ramp-up of V2G. 

What Have we Learned?

Figure 1 shows a selection of the solutions developed in the study, which are tailored to the target audience of national policymakers and regulation. All solutions were prepared in an implementation roadmap and classified into an initial start-up and learning phase (until the end of 2028) and a second V2G ramp-up phase (from 2029). The complete implementation roadmap and all other references, details, and solutions can be found in the study report. 

Detailed results of our investigations—in particular regarding the impact of Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) on charging costs—are included in our series of articles on the project (German Language Only).