Electric vehicles (EVs) are not just a means of transportation, they can also play a role in shaping the future of energy. This FAQ provides answers to common questions about V2G, its benefits, and how it works for EV drivers.

General Questions

1. What is V2G charging?

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a technology that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to push energy back into the power grid. This process enables the charged power in EV batteries to be temporarily returned to the grid to help balance energy production and consumption.

2. How is V2G different from regular charging?

V2G charging enables bi-directional energy flow, allowing your EV to not only charge but also send power back to the grid when needed. Unlike regular charging, which only draws energy, V2G turns your EV into a mobile energy source, helping to balance the grid, reduce electricity costs, and even generate revenue.

3. What are the benefits of using V2G?

By enabling bi-directional power flow, V2G helps reduce electricity costs, stabilize the grid, and support renewable energy integration. It also provides backup power during outages, making energy use smarter and more sustainable.

4. Can my EV support V2G technology?

We recommend checking your vehicle’s specifications in the owner's manual or on the manufacturer’s website for details on V2G compatibility.

5. Do I need a special charging station for V2G?

Yes, V2G charging requires a special bi-directional charger that can both charge your EV and send energy back to the grid. Unlike regular chargers, which only provide one-way power flow, V2G chargers enable two-way energy transfer.

6. How does V2G affect my EV battery health?

V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology slightly increases battery wear due to extra charging and discharging cycles. Research shows that over ten years, this leads to about 9% to 14% battery degradation. On average, V2G causes around 0.31% additional battery wear per year for 33 charge/discharge cycles.

If you are interested in reading more on the topic, please read a study on the topic of "Vehicle-to-grid impact on battery degradation and estimation of V2G economic compensation" by Sagaria, van der Kram and Boström.

7. How is the payment for V2G stations calculated?

The tariff is based solely on the net energy (kWh) consumed by the EV, along with a session fee if defined by the Charge Point Operator (CPO). The net energy is calculated as the total kWh charged minus the kWh discharged.

Compatibility

8. Can I still charge normally if my EV doesn’t support V2G?

Yes. Most of the vehicles will charge normally if they don’t support bi-directional charging. However, some models might not charge due to their software version or the communication protocol used by the manufacturer.

Battery & Performance

9. How fast does my EV discharge energy back to the grid?

The V2G stations can discharge up to 10 kW, but some EVs may limit this (e.g., to 6 kW).

Reliability & Use Cases

10. What happens if I need my EV fully charged but the battery was used for V2G?

In the Virta App, users can define a desired battery charge percentage and a departure time. The station only discharges the battery for short periods (e.g., 5 to 10 minutes) and limits the discharge considering those two parameters.

11. Is V2G available everywhere or only in specific locations?

At the moment, only some sites are piloting V2G stations.