Plugging into latest technology
A trial of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) chargers is taking place in Queenstown this year to better understand how the technology works and how households and businesses can use it effectively.
V2G chargers are two-way devices that allow EVs to draw electricity from and return power to the grid.
When parked and plugged in, an EV can store electricity in its battery during off-peak periods and feed it back into a home, business or the wider network when demand is high.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is conducting a V2G trial to understand more about two-way chargers.
The programme will look at what’s required to enable such chargers to interact with the electricity system and how they respond to power price changes and times of peak demand.
It will also assess how V2G chargers can add value for a variety of homes and businesses and how people engage and use them.
“The findings will help build an evidence base to inform future policies and guidance that enable V2G to be rolled out effectively across New Zealand,” says EECA.
“Understanding how V2G technology can work for Aotearoa technically, economically and for consumers is essential as EV uptake grows and electricity demand increases.”
EECA notes the flexibility offered by V2G technology has the potential to help reduce peak electricity demand and cut strain on transmission and distribution networks, reducing the need for costly upgrades to the network of poles and wires.
It can also help EV owners get the most value from the batteries in their cars, enhance energy resilience and security, and lower costs for energy users by allowing charging when electricity is cheaper and the exporting of any surplus power when the price is high.
EECA adds its research shows home charging is the main way people repower their EVs, which means there is potential to use parked vehicles for energy storage while they are charging at home.
The trial will initially involve fewer than 10 V2G chargers being installed in Queenstown, but if those prove successful then the scheme will be expanded to about 30-40 chargers across a mix of homes and businesses.
The installations are due to be completed during 2026 and EECA will collect detailed technical and behavioural data over a period of one year.
It will publish insights as the project progresses, with a final report due to be released upon completion in late 2027.
EECA is working on the trial in partnership with Rewiring Aotearoa, which is supporting participant recruitment through its Queenstown Electrification Accelerator.
