Volkswagen, in collaboration with its energy subdivision Elli, is set to launch a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) offer for Volkswagen EV customers in Germany, allowing customers to benefit from a deeper level of integration into the energy ecosystem and lower bills. Volkswagen and Elli estimate that in a best-case scenario, customers could save between €700 and €900 per year in home charging related costs, using this V2G program.
The technology works by allowing compatible EVs to discharge stored energy back into the home or the wider grid during periods of peak demand, when electricity prices are typically at their highest. Owners would charge their vehicles overnight when rates are lower, then sell surplus energy back during the day – effectively turning their car battery into a household energy asset.
From the fourth quarter of 2026, Volkswagen and Elli will launch this initiative in Germany, with around one million cars within the Volkswagen ID. family already capable of supporting bidirectional charging. They also note that ‘further European countries’ will also be eligible to join the scheme in the future, but details on which exact countries is yet to be confirmed.
Martin Sander, Board Member for Sales, Marketing, and After-Sales at Volkswagen, commented:
“Electric mobility can only realize its full potential if it also makes economic sense for our customers. With Vehicle-to-Grid, we are delivering exactly that: significantly lower home charging costs – and, in the long term, nearly cost-free charging. As a pioneer in bidirectional charging, our entire ID. family has been ‘bidi-ready’ since 2023. In this way, we are bringing V2G from innovation into everyday life and making this technology accessible to the mass market. That is the ambition of the Volkswagen brand.”
Giovanni Palazzo, CEO of Elli, added:
“Vehicle-to-Grid delivers its full value only through the connection of vehicles, infrastructure and the energy market. And that is precisely why we established Elli as the energy interface within the Group. Today, we have the technological and operational capabilities to scale an integrated solution across millions of vehicles and brands. We are now taking the next step: connecting batteries, unlocking new value through aggregation, and making our vision of a ‘Managed Battery Network’ a tangible reality for the first time.”
