New UL V2G-AC Certification Program Will Likely Lower Costs and Lead to Rapid Expansion

UL Solutions launched a new certification program for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies based on the recently issued UL 1741 Supplement SC standard, creating a formal testing and certification pathway for bidirectional electric vehicle supply equipment (BEVSE). PV Magazine released the news on September 14, 2026.

The certification program covers AC-based vehicle-to-grid connections, known as V2G-AC. Under this approach, electric vehicles equipped with certified bidirectional onboard inverters can connect to the electric grid through AC wallboxes. The wallbox oversees the connection between the vehicle, home wiring and grid rather than relying on an external inverter.

Testing and certification are now available at UL Solutions facilities in Fremont, California, and Northbrook, Illinois. The program evaluates BEVSE designed to establish an AC connection between a home’s electrical system and an electric vehicle while supervising the vehicle-to-grid connection.

The approach differs from existing DC bidirectional charging systems offered by companies including dcbel, Sigenergy and Wallbox. Those systems use a DC connection between the vehicle and an external inverter, bypassing the vehicle’s onboard inverter. Equipment certified under UL 1741 SC instead works with vehicles containing bidirectional-certified onboard inverters.

Because V2G-AC systems do not require a separate external inverter, the technology could produce bidirectional EV charging equipment at a lower cost than current DC-based systems, potentially accelerating adoption.

“Electric vehicles spend much of their time parked, creating an opportunity for them to perform more than transportation alone,” said Wesley Kwok, vice president and general manager of the Energy and Industrial Automation group at UL Solutions. He said V2G can turn unused battery capacity into a resource for utilities and communities while certification helps establish confidence in safe, reliable operation and utility performance.

Developing the technical and regulatory framework for V2G-AC took more than a decade of work involving the automotive, electrical safety and utility sectors. SAE J3072 established interconnection requirements for vehicle-integrated onboard inverters. Finalization of the standard in 2024 enabled UL Standards & Engagement to complete UL 1741 SC.

Previously, V2G-AC systems could be certified for specific vehicle models and chargers through the UL 1741 “Multipiece DER Systems” standard combined with UL 9741, the Standard for Electric Vehicle Power Export Equipment. UL Solutions continues to offer that certification pathway alongside the new UL 1741 SC program.

Europe already provides examples of commercial AC bidirectional charging. Renault and BMW have deployed AC bidirectional systems paired with specialized AC wallboxes, while municipal EV fleets in Utrecht, Netherlands, send excess solar energy back to local distribution networks.

The new U.S. certification pathway gives utilities, automakers and charging hardware manufacturers a standardized route for testing V2G-AC systems and expanding the role of EV batteries as distributed energy resources.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Why V2G Should be Supported in the U.S.

For American families considering an electric vehicle, the value of an EV could soon extend beyond lower fuel and maintenance costs. Vehicle-to-grid technology can allow an EV battery to send electricity back to a home or the electric grid, turning a parked vehicle into a potential energy resource. The new certification program from UL Solutions could help make that technology more affordable and accessible.

For families, lower hardware and installation costs could make V2G technology easier to justify. Instead of an EV battery sitting unused for most of the day, the vehicle could potentially provide electricity to the home or support the grid when it is parked. Depending on utility programs, electricity rates and system capabilities, that could create opportunities for households to reduce energy costs or receive compensation for providing grid services.

The benefits could extend beyond individual drivers. Millions of EVs connected to the grid could collectively become a distributed energy resource. That could help utilities manage periods of high electricity demand and better integrate variable renewable energy.

The certification framework also addresses an important barrier to adoption: confidence. Automakers, charging manufacturers and utilities need common technical requirements before V2G can scale widely. UL 1741 SC provides a standardized route for evaluating these systems.

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