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Key points
- Vehicle-to-grid systems can supply homes during outages and return stored electricity to grids when demand rises.
- Fraunhofer research estimates European V2G deployment could save up to €22 billion annually in energy-system costs by 2040.
- Volkswagen and Elli plan a German private-customer V2G package for late 2026, with projected annual earnings of €700 to €900.
- Nissan plans affordable bidirectional charging from 2026, while other manufacturers are introducing services for selected models and markets.
- Bidirectional chargers and installation can cost several thousand euros more than standard equipment, and utility approval is required.
- Only a limited number of electric vehicles currently support bidirectional charging, with manufacturers also assessing battery warranties and degradation.
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Volkswagen and Elli are preparing to launch an integrated vehicle-to-grid package for private customers in Germany during the fourth quarter of 2026.
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