Australia is about to change its road laws for the first time, with the Royal Automobile Association (RAA) proposing road laws to include the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) bi-directional charging technology as a key agenda item for discussion at COP31. This step could change the Australia energy landscape and the integration of transport with renewable energy. This would also empower Australian and help every day Australians and every day Australian motorists.
Every bi-directional charging system has the ability to fully integrate an electric vehicle charged from a solar system and also discharge stored energy to a home or the grid. When an EV is charged, with and solar system, energy can be discharged to home, or the grid, or both. EVs facilitate grid balancing and plug and play systems to charge home batteries during peak and off peak demand. Australian burdens significantly during peak demand. Each EV battery significantly outweighs home batteries, with the average battery of an EV 8 times larger than home batteries.
RAA’s Push at COP31
RAA is taking advantage of COP31’s environmental occasion to call for bi-directional charging to be included in future road legislation. Nick Reade, RAA’s CEO, explains that this is a prime opportunity to stimulate partnerships to create a bi-directional charging adoption national framework. RAA envisions mandatory bi-directional charging in Australia’s sold EVs in an effort to normalize bi-directional charging by 2030.
National Roadmap and Regulatory Progress
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and RACE for 2030’s Roadmap is a fantastic step to encourage the commercial adoption of bi-directional EV charging. Changes to Australian Electrical Standards (AS/NZS 4777.1:2024) are a step in the right direction, but the majority of chargers are still awaiting certification. While manufacturers of the EVs and chargers are invited to join in on the national rollout plan, issues surrounding warranty and compatibility still need to be resolved.
Benefits and Challenges
There are clear advantages including energy arbitrage that translates into lower household power bills, energy resilience through home backup power, and another climate action tool to help cut national emissions as home renewables integrations accelerates. Nevertheless, there are still challenges to overcome such as EV model compatibility, warranty issues, and dynamic electricity tariffs that would allow customers to get paid for energy exports.
The Road Ahead
With a mandate for bi-directional charging, Australia would take an ambitious leap towards a more intelligent energy and climate ecosystem. Enhanced legislation as suggested will likely improve uptake by customers, balance power flow as well as lower supply costs. With COP31 around the corner, it is policymakers’ turn to deliver the much-needed legislation to unlock these technologies for households and the nation abundantly.
Mini Table: Bidirectional Charging at a Glance
| Feature | Status 2025 |
|---|---|
| V2G/V2H Tech | Trials and pilots |
| Key Standard Updated | AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 |
| Main Challenge | Warranty & Interop |
| Policy Push | RAA at COP31 |
FAQs
Q1: Can all EVs in Australia do bi-directional charging?
No. There are model and warranty restrictions.
Q2: What is needed to make bi-directional charging mainstream?
Legal requirements, revised standards, consumer subsidies, and stakeholder partnerships.
Q3: How does this help households?
Households will lower their electricity bills and earn money by selling electricity back to the grid.
