New Studies on V2G - in Europe

The study "Plugging into Potential," published by Eurelectric and EY, analyzes the potential of electric vehicles (EVs) as flexible energy storage within the European electricity system. It highlights how EVs, through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies, can contribute to grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy sources.

Key findings of the study include:

• 114 TWh Flexibility Potential by 2030: EV batteries could store up to 114 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy and feed it back into the grid when needed. This would account for approximately 4% of Europe's annual electricity demand, or the energy supply for 30 million households.
• More than 10% of Power Demand by 2040: With increasing V2G integration, electric cars could cover over 10% of Europe’s electricity demand by 2040.
• Smart Charging Reduces Grid Load: Smart charging can reduce peak loads by up to 6%, thus avoiding the need for expensive grid expansions.
• Savings for Grid Operators: By utilizing flexibility options like V2G, distribution system operators could save up to 4 billion euros annually.

_{Sources: industrialnews.co.uk, https://evision.eurelectric.org/report-2025/}

The whitepaper "The Integration of V2G in Europe" by the Research Center for Energy Economics (FfE) analyzes the implementation of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) in France, the UK, and Germany. It shows that the integration of bidirectional charging electric vehicles into the energy system is progressing differently in each country:

• Germany: V2G implementation is still limited to pilot projects. There is no overarching strategy for utilizing small-scale flexibility in the energy system, and regulatory frameworks are less supportive compared to the other two countries.
• UK: There are already commercial V2G offers. The country actively promotes the market integration of small-scale flexibility, including V2G, and provides regulatory leeway for pilot projects.
• France: While commercial V2G offers exist, implementation is primarily driven by car manufacturers. France currently has no market incentives for V2G, as grid operators rely on alternative controllable generation or consumers.

The study emphasizes that V2G can already provide added value on the spot market in all three countries, provided the power grids are not overloaded. To economically and scalably implement V2G, the promotion of standardized technical connections across countries is recommended. Both regulators and technical solution providers should create frameworks to facilitate V2G integration.

_{Source: FfE (2025) V2G Integration in Europe – Focuses of Implementation in France, the UK, and Germany in Comparison (German)}

P3’s study provides insights into the value and use cases of V2G:

1. Financial Value for Consumers:
   In favorable cases, consumers could save $300 to $400 per year with bidirectional charging. The actual savings depend significantly on:
   • Electricity rate structures (especially usage time or demand fees).
   • Incentives and participation in grid programs.
   • Equipment costs and degradation effects on EV batteries.
2. Value for the Power Grid:
   The technology has the potential to provide valuable grid services, such as:
   • Frequency regulation
   • Peak load coverage
   • Reserve power during outages
     Utilities are interested in V2G to stabilize the grid and reduce infrastructure expansion.

However, technical and regulatory challenges remain: there is a lack of standardized communication protocols and interconnection rules. Additionally, vehicle manufacturers are still hesitant due to concerns about battery warranties.

According to the study, promising V2G use cases include:

• Homeowners with solar panels could benefit more from Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) for optimizing self-consumption.
• Fleet applications (e.g., school buses or delivery vehicles) are promising due to predictable schedules and larger operational sizes.

_{Source: https://www.p3-group.com/p3-updates/bidirectional-charging-worth-the-hype/}

The study "Batteries on Wheels: The Untapped Potential of EVs," conducted by the Fraunhofer Institutes ISI and ISE for Transport & Environment (T&E), analyzes the economic potential of Vehicle-to-Grid technology in Europe. According to the results, bidirectional charging can bring significant savings and benefits to the European energy system.

Key findings of the study include:

• Savings in the Energy System: By fully adopting V2G, annual energy system costs in the EU could be reduced by 8.6% by 2040, equating to savings of around 22.2 billion euros per year.
• Reduced Need for Stationary Storage: The need for stationary battery storage could be reduced by up to 92%, as electric vehicles would act as decentralized storage.
• Integration of Renewable Energy: V2G allows for better integration of solar power, potentially increasing PV capacity by up to 40%.
• Contribution to Power Supply: By 2040, electric vehicles could meet up to 9% of the EU’s annual electricity demand and provide 15-20% of current electricity demand during peak times.
• Benefits for Consumers: EV owners could save up to 52% on their annual electricity costs through bidirectional charging, depending on factors such as location, solar panel ownership, and battery capacity.
• Longer Battery Lifespan: Contrary to common concerns, bidirectional charging could extend the lifespan of EV batteries by up to 9%, as they are kept in optimal charge conditions.

_{Sources: Transport & Environment, electrive.net}

The study "Vehicle-to-Grid and/or Vehicle-to-Home Round-Trip Efficiency" by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission examines the efficiency of bidirectional charging, specifically the charging and discharging of electric vehicles (EVs) in the context of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H).

Laboratory experiments found that round-trip efficiency – the efficiency of the entire charging and discharging cycle – is about 80%. This efficiency rate means that around 20% of the energy is lost during the charging and discharging process. These losses are crucial for evaluating the economic and environmental viability of V2G and V2H systems. The JRC study also emphasizes that technical improvements in charging devices and battery management systems are necessary to minimize these losses and increase the attractiveness of bidirectional charging solutions.

_{Source: JRC Publications Repository (PDF)}

The study "EV Energy Taskforce: Energising Our Electric Vehicle Transition" (Phase 1) from the UK provides key recommendations for the successful integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into the energy system, focusing on interoperability, smart charging infrastructure, and aligning with consumer needs.

Key findings include:

• Standardization and Interoperability: There is an urgent need to develop standards and rules of conduct to enable interoperability and data exchange between the EV sector and the power grid.
• Coordinated Planning: Effective local and national planning and coordination are required to enable efficient investments and create a balance between future-proofing and the risk of misinvestments.
• Smart Charging: Smart charging is essential, supported by a robust network and clear market signals, to reduce the costs of powering millions of EVs.

These three priorities are reflected in the 21 proposals outlined in the Phase 1 report. A central principle is that the transition to EVs will succeed best if the best possible outcomes for consumers – i.e., EV drivers – are always pursued.

_{Source: https://evenergytaskforce.com/reports/phase-one-report/}