Volkswagen and Partners Expand V2G Pilot in Sweden with 200 EVs and Bidirectional Chargers

Volkswagen and its partners have launched the next phase of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) pilot project in Hudiksvall, Sweden, deploying 200 electric vehicles and 200 bidirectional chargers to select customers. The expansion marks a key step toward the commercial rollout of V2G services in the region, expected later this year.

The pilot, which includes private households, Volkswagen dealerships, and corporate clients, builds on two years of development and testing. It is led by Volkswagen in cooperation with Swedish energy provider Vattenfall, charger manufacturer Ambibox, and software developer Energybank. The V2G technology enables electric vehicles to not only charge from the grid but also return energy during peak demand or outages, offering a potential solution to energy storage and grid stability challenges.

“We would all be lying if we said it was an easy project; we had set ourselves a very ambitious goal,” said Mandfred Przybilla, CEO of Ambibox. “I am confident that we have created something very solid, especially with the software platform that Energybank and Ambibox developed and optimised together for V2G with HEMS.”

Volkswagen’s ID. models with battery capacities of 77 kWh or greater are being used in the trial, having been technically prepared for V2G integration since 2023. According to project partners, the current focus includes assessing the system’s functionality, user experience, cost savings, and revenue potential before broader deployment.

“After more than a year of testing, we’re leaving the protected environment of the test facility and offering the service to customers,” Przybilla said. Initial installations are being carried out with 200 participants in Sweden, and orders for broader access are already being accepted ahead of a full-scale release expected in the autumn.

V2G and V2H technologies are increasingly seen as strategic tools in managing renewable energy fluctuations and reducing pressure on existing grid infrastructure. While the regulatory and technical challenges remain complex, pilot projects like this one aim to demonstrate the viability of bidirectional charging as electric vehicles become more integrated into energy systems across Europe.