Australia’s two largest electricity providers, AGL and Origin Energy, have each announced new trials of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, marking a push to harness electric vehicle batteries as part of the national energy system.
AGL’s year-long program will initially be open to drivers of select EVs from Hyundai, Kia, BYD and Zeekr, with assurances that manufacturer battery warranties will not be affected. Participants will have bi-directional chargers installed at their homes and receive tailored support to manage charging and discharging cycles.
AGL said the trial will test whether EVs can provide grid services, lower household bills and support renewable energy integration. The utility has also offered the first 50 eligible households discounted chargers and installation.
Origin Energy is taking a different route, introducing a subscription package priced at under AUD $800 per month after tax savings. The bundle includes a leased BYD Atto 3, a StarCharge Halo bi-directional charger and access to its smart energy management platform.
The company said the initiative aims to bring V2G to mainstream households by removing upfront purchase costs, while collecting data on how fleets of EVs interact with energy demand.
Both utilities have opened expressions of interest for the trials, with AGL’s expected to begin soon and Origin’s scheduled for 2026. Analysts say the parallel moves represent a shift in Australia’s EV landscape, where V2G adoption has lagged Europe and Japan. The trials mark the first large-scale efforts by the country’s dominant power firms to explore EV batteries as flexible grid assets.