UL Releases New Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology Standard

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is moving beyond pilot projects and into commercial deployment in the United States, while several European markets are already entering large-scale commercialization. As electric vehicles become increasingly integrated with the power grid, industry leaders believe updated standards will play a critical role in accelerating adoption.

Today, a handful of automakers, including General Motors, Ford, and Nissan, offer bidirectional charging capabilities. However, most current systems rely on proprietary hardware and are primarily limited to vehicle-to-home (V2H) applications, such as providing backup power during outages. Enabling full V2G functionality, where EVs can export electricity back to the grid, requires utility interconnection and standardized certification processes.

A significant milestone arrived in May 2026 when UL Standards & Engagement published UL 1741 Supplement SC, a new standard for AC bidirectional electric vehicle supply equipment used with EVs equipped with SAE J3072-compliant onboard inverters.

According to Zach Woogen, Executive Director of the Vehicle Grid Integration Council (VGIC), the new standard could help unlock a scalable V2G market by supporting greater interoperability between vehicles, chargers, and utilities. In a recent VGIC blog post, Woogen described the standard as a long-awaited development that may catalyze broader adoption of low-cost AC-based V2G systems.

V2G technology generally falls into two categories. DC V2G systems place inverter functions outside the vehicle, while AC V2G systems rely on onboard inverters within the EV itself. Several utilities and regulators across the United States have already begun updating interconnection rules to accommodate both approaches.

States including California, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut have clarified regulatory pathways for DC V2G systems through existing or modified interconnection frameworks. For AC V2G systems, California and Maryland currently recognize certification pathways using UL 1741 requirements in combination with UL 9741 for matched vehicle-and-charger systems. Similar proposals are under consideration in Nevada and Connecticut.

The introduction of UL 1741 SC creates a new pathway by allowing a charger to function as an “oversight supervisor” for a vehicle that meets SAE J3072 requirements. Because certification no longer depends on approving a specific vehicle-charger combination, industry stakeholders view the standard as a major step toward interoperability and broader commercialization of AC bidirectional charging technologies.

As utilities, automakers, and charging providers continue investing in V2G solutions, standardized certification frameworks such as UL 1741 SC are expected to play an important role in transforming EVs into valuable grid-connected energy resources.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) Technology is Important for the United States

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is important for the United States because it transforms millions of electric vehicles into flexible energy resources that can support the electric grid, reduce peak demand, and accelerate renewable energy adoption. As EV ownership grows, the combined battery capacity of these vehicles could exceed that of many utility-scale energy storage projects.

V2G enables utilities to draw small amounts of power from connected vehicles during periods of high demand and return energy when electricity is abundant, helping stabilize the grid and reduce reliance on expensive and polluting fossil fuel peaker plants, also incorporating more renewable energy, when it is used to charge the vehicles.

It can also provide EV owners with new revenue opportunities by compensating them for grid services while improving energy resilience during outages. As electricity demand increases due to transportation electrification, artificial intelligence, and data center growth, V2G offers a cost-effective way to strengthen grid reliability without requiring massive investments in new power generation and transmission infrastructure.

Don’t Miss The V2G Business, Policy & Technology Forum: Fall 2026

Now in its eighth iteration, the Fall 2026 V2G Business, Policy & Technology Forum, October 27-29, 2026 in Detroit, is one of North America’s leading conferences dedicated to advancing vehicle-to-grid (V2G) deployment.

Organized by Smart Grid Observer, the forum brings together utilities, automakers, charging providers, regulators, fleet operators, technology companies, and policy experts to address the technical, regulatory, and business challenges surrounding bidirectional charging.

The event focuses on accelerating V2G standardization, interoperability, utility integration, and market adoption while exploring how electric vehicles can support grid reliability, renewable energy integration, and energy resilience. As V2G moves from pilot programs toward commercial deployment, the forum serves as a key venue for industry stakeholders to collaborate on strategies that will help transform EVs into valuable distributed energy resources across North America.