Volkswagen Group has announced plans to introduce a fully integrated Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) solution in partnership with its energy subsidiary Elli, aiming to transform electric vehicles into active participants in the energy ecosystem.
The V2G offering is scheduled for market launch in Germany in the fourth quarter of 2026, with pre-registrations opening in June. The company also plans to expand the service to other European markets in subsequent phases.
The initiative will allow Volkswagen EV owners to not only charge their vehicles but also feed stored electricity back into the grid. This bidirectional energy flow enables users to reduce charging costs and potentially generate annual earnings of up to €700–€900 under optimal conditions.
According to Martin Sander, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing, and After-Sales, the move is designed to make electric mobility more economically viable. He stated that Volkswagen’s ID. family has been “bidi-ready” since 2023, positioning the brand as a pioneer in bidirectional charging technology.
Echoing this vision, Giovanni Palazzo highlighted that V2G’s true value lies in connecting vehicles, infrastructure, and energy markets. He added that the company is working towards creating a “Managed Battery Network,” where aggregated EV batteries can be utilized for energy trading and grid stabilization.
The integrated V2G package will include an electric vehicle, a dedicated mobile app, a dynamic electricity tariff, a smart meter, and a DC bidirectional charger, along with installation services. Customers will initially receive fixed compensation for making their battery capacity available, regardless of trading performance, based on their flexibility in charging behavior.
Volkswagen emphasized that V2G is a critical step in building a broader energy ecosystem. Electric vehicles will function as mobile energy storage units, storing surplus renewable energy and supplying it back to the grid during peak demand. This approach is expected to significantly contribute to energy efficiency and grid stability.
Industry estimates cited by the company suggest that V2G technology could help save up to €22 billion annually in European energy system costs by 2040. In Germany alone, approximately 9,500 GWh of renewable energy was recently curtailed—enough to power nearly three million EVs for a year.
The technology is underpinned by Volkswagen’s MEB platform, with around one million vehicles in Europe already equipped for bidirectional charging. The upcoming ID. Software 6 update will further expand compatibility across more models and battery sizes.
Elli will play a central role as the orchestrator of this ecosystem, managing electricity tariffs, charger infrastructure, digital controls, and energy trading operations, including participation in the EPEX Spot market.
Volkswagen also stressed the importance of smart meters for enabling V2G functionality. Customers will be connected to certified metering operators for installation, which is expected to be completed within eight to ten weeks.
With this move, Volkswagen aims to redefine electric mobility by integrating it with the energy market—turning EVs from cost centers into revenue-generating assets while supporting Europe’s transition to renewable energy.
