In this issue, Steve shares his key takeaways fresh from the October 2025 V2G Forum in Detroit, where more than 200 industry leaders, from utilities to automakers, made clear that the conversation has shifted from if to how V2G will scale. We also unpack SEPA’s new interconnection roadmap, a practical guide for regulators and utilities preparing for residential bidirecdtional chaging deployment at scale.
In the U.S., Ford just unveiled full vehicle-to-grid functionality through its new Home Power Management platform, evolving the F-150 Lightning from a backup power source to an active grid resource. And globally, China has set an ambitious target of 10 GW of V2G capacity by 2030, signaling its intent to make EVs a cornerstone of grid flexibility.
Enjoy! 🚀
V2G Insights
Steve’s Top 3 Takeaways from the October 2025 Detroit V2G Forum
November 4, 2025
V2G-AC Demonstration at Detroit V2G Form; photo by Steve Letendre
The V2G Business, Policy & Technology Forum took place October 21–23 at the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in metro Detroit, Michigan, organized by the Smart Grid Observer. The event drew more than 200 participants spanning utilities, renewable-energy companies, automakers, charging-network operators, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) manufacturers, research organizations, and consultants.
This year’s forum stood out for a simple reason: it featured the second-ever public demonstrations in the U.S. of standards-based, bidirectional-charging systems. Across three garage setups, participants observed live, end-to-end V2G operation conforming to ISO 15118, SAE J3072, UL 1741 SB/SC, and IEEE 2030.5, showcasing how far the industry has come since the earliest pilots.
Having attended five of the six V2G Forums, I left convinced that the conversation has shifted from if bidirectional charging will matter to how we make it work at scale. Three themes captured that transition.
1. Policy Alignment and Market Formation – The Framework for Growth
Policy and market design remain central to enabling V2G deployment at scale. Several sessions focused on the evolving state regulatory landscape and the growing alignment between compensation frameworks, interconnection requirements, and program design.
V2G Intelligence
SEPA Clarifies V2G Interconnection for Bidirectional EV Charging
November 4, 2025
Report: Interconnection Guidance for Residential Bidirectional EV Charging
Publication Date: September 2025
Authors: Brittany Blair and Garrett Fitzgerald, Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
As automakers roll out more bidirectional-capable electric vehicles and homeowners begin asking how to connect them, confusion has mounted about what’s required to safely and legally interconnect these systems. Regulators, utilities, and customers have lacked clear, consistent rules distinguishing when a system must go through a formal interconnection process versus a simpler energization pathway.
The Smart Electric Power Alliance’s (SEPA) new report, Interconnection Guidance for Residential Bidirectional EV Charging, cuts through that confusion. Drawing on working sessions with ten utilities and two industry workshops, the September 2025 publication provides a utility-informed roadmap for regulators preparing for the coming wave of residential bidirectional charging.
Why This Report Matters
Until now, the absence of standardized terminology and pathways has led to inconsistent treatment of bidirectional EV systems. Some customers have been allowed to energize their chargers under load-only rules, while others have faced months-long interconnection reviews. Utilities have also struggled with how to classify systems that operate only during outages versus those that can export power during normal grid conditions.
SEPA’s report directly addresses this uncertainty by:
- Defining key bidirectional charging configurations and their grid implications.
- Distinguishing energization (load-only or backup systems) from interconnection (grid-connected or exporting systems).
- Documenting early state commission actions that illustrate workable regulatory approaches.
The analysis clarifies what’s required to balance grid safety, customer convenience, and program scalability, helping prevent the fragmented regulatory landscape that slowed earlier distributed energy resource (DER) adoption.
V2G Finds
Ford’s F-150 Lightning Moves from Backup to Full Vehicle-to-Grid Power
Ford has officially entered the V2G era. The company’s new Home Power Management software transforms its F-150 Lightning from an emergency backup source into a full home energy management system and, in select markets, a grid-interactive resource. Paired with Ford’s Charge Station Pro, Home Integration System, and time-of-use rate structures, the platform enables customers to automatically charge during off-peak hours, power their homes during high-cost periods, and even export surplus energy back to the grid for utility incentives. Early pilot programs with DTE Energy and BGE/Sunrun are already compensating customers for the energy their trucks deliver, marking one of the first real-world examples of a residential vehicle-to-grid power plant.
Beyond the pilots, Ford is signaling a clear shift from “backup” to “bidirectional.” This evolution ties the automaker’s Home Power suite directly to ChargeScape, the joint bidirectional charging integration platform developed with BMW and Honda. As Ford Head of Global Charging and Energy Services Bill Crider notes, these pilots are shaping the next generation of products that connect customers, vehicles, and the grid. The story has reached the mainstream, too. Fast Company recently profiled Ford’s new approach under the headline “Inside Ford’s vision to turn your EV into a personal power plant,” underscoring how bidirectional charging has moved from tech demo to the heart of Ford’s clean-energy strategy.
10/28/2025
Bidirectional Energy and Wallbox Launch V2G Pilot for Kia EV9 Owners
Bidirectional Energy and Wallbox have teamed up to launch a bidirectional charging pilot open to 180 homes in California and Connecticut, marking another milestone in residential V2G adoption. The program uses Wallbox’s Quasar 2 12.5 kW bidirectional charger and Bidirectional Energy’s virtual power plant (VPP) platform, allowing Kia EV9 owners to save on energy bills, earn utility payments, and even power their homes during outages. Participants receive substantial incentives, up to $8,800 in California and $10,800 in Connecticut, to offset charger and installation costs. Both companies see the program as a scalable model for mainstream V2G participation, turning everyday EVs into active grid assets.
10/24/2025
Bezos Backs Cornell AI Team to Turn EVs into Grid Assets
Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund has awarded $1.8 million to Cornell University to explore how artificial intelligence can transform electric vehicles into active grid assets. The project aims to use AI to forecast when and where EVs can most effectively charge or discharge, optimizing their value to the grid and to owners. By integrating V2G with advanced algorithms that balance renewable generation, demand, and battery health, the research could provide a blueprint for large-scale, automated grid participation by millions of EVs. The investment reflects growing recognition that bidirectional charging, when paired with intelligent coordination, will be essential to unlocking the full flexibility potential of the electric vehicle fleet.
10/31/2024
China Targets 10 GW of Vehicle-to-Grid Capacity by 2030
China has elevated vehicle-to-grid (V2G) from a pilot concept to a national strategy. A new action plan released by six government agencies, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration, calls for large-scale promotion of vehicle-grid interaction, with more than 5,000 new V2G facilities and 20 million kilowatt-hours of reverse charging by 2027. The plan also sets out to double the nation’s EV charging capacity, adding 28 million charging stations to support 80 million vehicles.
By 2030, China aims to finalize V2G technical standards, mature market mechanisms, and deliver 10 gigawatts of bidirectional flexibility to the grid, making it the first country to set such a capacity goal. Automakers like Chery and infrastructure operators such as Star Charge are already developing AC and DC V2G solutions in line with this roadmap, signaling that China’s energy transition strategy now fully integrates V2G as a core grid resource.
10/27/2025
BYD Addresses V2G Battery Warranty Concerns for Australian Pilot
The leading Chinese EV manufacturer BYD has agreed to warranty its electric vehicle batteries for use in a new vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trial with Australian energy retailer Amber and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, marking an important step toward consumer confidence in bidirectional charging. A lack of battery warranty coverage has long been a barrier to V2G adoption, even as interest grows; Amber reports nearly 4,000 customers on its V2G waitlist. BYD’s decision follows Nissan’s earlier approval of Fermata Energy’s V2G charger and platform, which ensures that bidirectional charging using the Nissan Leaf does not void the battery warranty. Together, these moves highlight how OEM-backed warranties are essential to unlocking V2G participation at scale.
10/20/2025
Eaton Expands European Lineup with Two V2G-Ready Chargers
Eaton has added two new bidirectional chargers to its European portfolio, the DC 30 fast charger and the Duo dual-vehicle wallbox, both designed to support vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operation and managed through the ChargePoint software platform. Building on Eaton’s acquisition of Green Motion and its growing partnership with ChargePoint, the chargers align with Eaton’s “Buildings as a Grid” strategy to integrate EVs, onsite renewables, and energy storage. The 30 kW DC 30 meets EU AFIR standards and enables registration-free payments for public use, while the Duo offers up to 22 kW shared charging for compact residential or commercial settings. By embedding V2G functionality now, Eaton is positioning its hardware portfolio for a smooth transition as grid-interactive charging scales across Europe.
10/21/2025
