Author: Francisco Xavier Rosero Jaramillo
If 2024 was the year of promises for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), 2025 marks the year of tangible implementation. Pilot projects are transitioning to full-scale operations as regulations mature. For the first time, automakers, utility companies, and grid operators are aligning their strategies. Globally, the context is compelling: the electric vehicle fleet is growing exponentially —according to the IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2025— intensifying the need for more flexible and resilient electricity networks.
Technically, the ecosystem has reached maturity. Standards such as ISO 15118-20 formalize bidirectional charging and native Plug&Charge, while OCPP 2.0.1 optimizes energy management for operators. Together, these standards reduce technical friction and strengthen aggregator business models.
North America: Regulation driving integration
In the United States, FERC Order 2222 opens wholesale electricity markets to distributed energy resources, enabling V2G fleets to operate as grid assets. The DOE’s 10-year Vehicle-Grid Integration Assessment positions V2G as a strategic tool for grid stability, clearly identifying barriers and necessary incentives.
Canada has also advanced with pilots in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, demonstrating the technical and economic viability of V2G. Electric buses operating at bidirectional hubs supply energy to the grid during peak demand, proving that medium and large fleets can act as mobile energy assets, enhancing urban resilience while monetizing infrastructure.
Europe: From pilot projects to commercial operation
Europe remains the largest V2G laboratory. In Utrecht, Netherlands, 500 bidirectional Renaults operate within a car-sharing scheme that has evolved from pilot to fully commercial service. The AFIR regulation promotes cross-border interoperability, preventing projects from stalling at national borders. In France, Renault now offers factory-enabled V2G models, signaling market maturity.
Asia-Pacific: Scale makes the difference
China is rolling out projects in nine major cities, leveraging EVs as balancing batteries during peak hours, enabled by NDRC-regulated access to electricity markets.
Australia has emerged as a technical pioneer. The ARENA/ANU REVS projects demonstrated V2G for frequency control and documented findings in globally accessible manuals.
Japan accounts for over 60% of global V2G projects, backed by government subsidies and strategic partnerships among Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi.
Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East: Laying the groundwork
In these regions, progress is nascent but strategically important.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, efforts focus on consolidating charging infrastructure. Chile launched the region’s first V2G pilot in 2019, while Brazil —the largest automotive market in the region— is accelerating smart stations and pilot programs. These efforts lay the foundation for smart charging (V1G) and, eventually, V2G to support grids that rely on hydropower, particularly during dry seasons.
In Africa, grid robustness remains a key challenge. A study in Scientific Reports on Nairobi illustrates how managed bidirectional charging could stabilize local grids, opening opportunities in rapidly growing urban centers. South Africa leads with the continent’s first commercial V2G pilot, developed by Zimi using 120 kW DC bidirectional stations, turning logistics fleets into mobile energy assets to mitigate load shedding.
In the Middle East, Gulf countries are investing heavily in storage and digital grids, creating an ideal ecosystem for economically viable V2G in the near future.
Our role as engineers: Standards and strategies for 2025
As IEEE professionals, we have a responsibility to champion the right standards:
- Interoperability from day one: Hardware and software must comply with universal standards such as ISO 15118-20 and OCPP 2.0.1.
- A secure gateway to the grid: Vehicle-to-grid communication must be reliable. IEEE 2030.5 ensures secure, measurable interconnection.
- Integrate business models: Technology must be commercially viable. Solutions should fit into existing markets, like those enabled by FERC Order 2222, to generate tangible value.
V2G has evolved from a futuristic concept to a practical tool for grid flexibility. Europe demonstrates operational feasibility, China provides scale, and the U.S. and Australia set the regulatory framework.
For engineers, operators, and regulators, the message is clear: standardize, integrate, measure, and monetize.
The foundations are in place. Now it is our turn to build on them and ensure this technological revolution becomes truly global.
Author’s note: The AI tools Gemini by Google and ChatGPT by OpenAI were used in drafting this article to improve writing and ensure clarity. All technical content and conclusions are the sole responsibility of the author, who guarantees the accuracy and integrity of the publication.
