VW, Elli Plan Q4 2026 V2G Mass Market Launch in Germany, With Europe to Follow

Volkswagen and its energy and charging subsidiary Elli are preparing to launch a fully integrated Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) offering for private customers in Germany, with a market rollout planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

The new service will allow Volkswagen electric vehicle owners to do more than simply charge their cars. By connecting EV batteries to the electricity grid, customers will be able to help balance energy demand, support renewable energy integration, and potentially earn compensation for making battery capacity available to the energy market.

Pre-registration for the program is expected to begin in June 2026, with expansion into additional European markets planned for the future. The offering will combine an electric vehicle, smart meter, bidirectional charger, dynamic electricity tariff, mobile app, and installation services into a single integrated energy ecosystem.

Volkswagen says Vehicle-to-Grid technology could significantly reduce mobility costs for EV owners. In favorable scenarios, annual savings and earnings could reach between €700 and €900. Initially, customers will receive compensation for providing battery capacity for energy trading, with payments based on the level of charging flexibility they choose.

According to Volkswagen, the long-term objective is to reduce charging costs to near zero while transforming electric vehicles into active participants in the energy system.

The program builds on Volkswagen’s existing bidirectional charging capabilities. Since 2023, all vehicles in the company’s ID. family have been equipped with hardware capable of supporting bidirectional charging. Upcoming ID. Software 6 updates will expand functionality to additional battery sizes and future high-volume models.

Vehicle-to-Grid technology enables EVs to serve as mobile energy storage units. Electricity generated from renewable sources can be stored in vehicle batteries and supplied back to the grid when demand increases. Volkswagen believes this approach can help improve grid stability while reducing the curtailment of renewable energy generation.

Elli will serve as the central platform connecting customers, vehicles, charging infrastructure, and energy markets. The company will manage electricity tariffs, digital controls, battery aggregation, and participation in wholesale energy markets through its dedicated energy trading operations.

Smart meters will play a key role in the program. Customers will be able to obtain installation through Elli’s metering partners, with installations expected to be completed within eight to ten weeks.

Volkswagen estimates that widespread adoption of Vehicle-to-Grid technology could generate substantial benefits beyond individual customers. Studies cited by the company suggest the technology could reduce European energy system costs by as much as €22 billion annually by 2040 while helping integrate larger amounts of renewable energy into the grid.

Polestar and Danish charging operator Clever have launched a similar groundbreaking pilot project in Denmark. V2G is growing fast worldwide.