Australia's Biggest Commercial Vehicle-to-Grid Fleet Trial Launches

A new commercial trial is set to put bidirectional charging to the test across Australian roads, examining whether electric fleet vehicles can earn revenue and support the electricity network while parked.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced a $5.35 million initiative known as the Realising Electric Vehicle-to-Grid Services 2 (REVS2) project. Supported by $4.1 million in federal funding alongside $1.25 million from charging provider JET Charge, the three-year trial will roll out up to 130 electric vehicles and bidirectional chargers across the ACT Government fleet.

Moving from technical proof to commercial return

The initiative builds on an earlier 2020 trial that demonstrated the basic technical safety and ability of electric vehicles to feed stored energy into the power grid. REVS2 shifts the focus from engineering feasibility to financial viability in normal day-to-day operations.

Participating vehicles, including those assigned to community and in-home healthcare services, operate during business hours and remain parked overnight. When connected to bidirectional chargers outside work hours, the vehicles can export power back into the grid during periods of peak demand, effectively functioning as batteries on wheels.

The project will investigate how fleets can capture energy revenue, trim operational running expenses, and maintain reliable transport duties without disrupting daytime work schedules.

Accelerating bidirectional charging across Australia

Beyond government vehicles, trial coordinators expect the findings to give global vehicle manufacturers a clear signal that Australia is preparing its infrastructure for two-way charging hardware. The data gathered between now and 2029 will also inform standards and commercial models for wider business fleets and private households.

With bidirectional home charging systems beginning to enter the Australian market, testing large-scale commercial grid integration marks an essential step toward turning parked cars into an active part of the energy transition.

What this means for your novated lease

For everyday drivers looking to salary package a car, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability represents the next frontier in lowering ownership costs:

• Growing vehicle value: Cars equipped with bidirectional charging hardware are positioned to offer far greater utility than transport alone. While vehicle-to-load (V2L) plugs let you power household appliances and work tools directly from the vehicle, true V2G allows cars to discharge energy into a home or the broader grid.
• Lower overall running costs: Once bidirectional charging tariffs and home hardware mature, leasing an EV could allow drivers to store cheap midday solar or off-peak electricity and discharge it during peak tariff windows, driving down domestic power bills.
• FBT exemptions on eligible models: As more bidirectional battery electric vehicles arrive on the Australian market below the luxury car tax threshold of $91,387, employees can still bundle finance and charging expenses into an FBT-exempt novated lease.
• Battery health monitoring: The trial will provide real-world insights into battery wear under repeated discharge cycles, giving salary packaging buyers greater peace of mind regarding long-term reliability and residual values.