Australia's V2G Pilot Just Got a Government Funding Boost — Here's What PAYG Employees Should Know
The federal government is scaling Amber's V2G pilot to 1,000 EVs. We break down what vehicle-to-grid means for novated lease holders and EV buyers. Read on.
The federal government has committed funding to scale Amber's vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot from a handful of cars to more than 1,000 EVs, according to The Driven. V2G technology lets your EV battery send power back to the grid — or your home — when demand is high. On paper, that means your car could offset some of its own running costs. In practice, the technology is still early-stage in Australia, and so far only BYD has put its hand up to supply compatible vehicles to the program.
What this means for novated lease customers
If you're weighing up a novated lease on a BYD — the Atto 3, Seal, or Shark ute, for example — this pilot adds a longer-term dimension worth thinking about. V2G-capable vehicles could eventually reduce your effective running costs by exporting stored energy during peak grid periods. That's on top of the pre-tax savings a novated lease already delivers on the purchase price, registration, insurance, and charging costs for eligible EVs.
That said, don't let V2G hype drive your vehicle choice right now. The pilot covers 1,000 vehicles nationally, compatible hardware and retailer agreements are still limited, and the financial return from grid exports is unproven at scale. What is proven is that eligible EVs under a novated lease are still exempt from FBT under current legislation — a tangible benefit you can access today, not in a future pilot phase.
The fact that government funding is flowing into V2G infrastructure does signal something useful: policymakers are treating EVs as grid assets, not just cars. That makes a long-term case for EV residual values and continued policy support — both relevant if you're locking into a three-to-five-year lease term.
Common questions
What is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and how does it work?
V2G technology allows a compatible EV to discharge electricity from its battery back to the electricity grid or your home. You charge the car at off-peak rates and can export energy during high-demand periods. It requires a compatible vehicle, a bidirectional charger, and an energy retailer that supports the feature — Amber is one such retailer trialling this in Australia.
Which EVs currently support V2G in Australia?
According to the report from The Driven, only BYD has formally committed vehicles to Amber's expanded pilot so far. Other manufacturers may join, but no confirmed announcements have been made at the time of writing.
Does V2G affect my novated lease in any way?
Not directly — your novated lease structure, FBT exemption eligibility, and pre-tax salary packaging are unaffected by whether your EV supports V2G. V2G is a separate energy-export capability that sits outside the lease mechanics.
Should I choose a BYD specifically because of the V2G pilot?
V2G participation alone shouldn't drive your vehicle decision. Choose based on your budget, driving needs, and the overall value of the novated lease package. The V2G benefit is speculative and small relative to the pre-tax savings already available on eligible EVs.
Is the FBT exemption on EVs still in place in 2026?
The FBT exemption for eligible battery electric vehicles under novated leases remains in place under current legislation. Always confirm your specific vehicle's eligibility with a licensed adviser before signing — rules can and do change.