Trial of two-way EV chargers begins in Auckland
Tuesday 29 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and Counties Energy’s OpenLoop have launched a trial of two-way electric vehicle chargers. Up to 100 chargers will be installed in homes, businesses, and fleets to test how vehicles can send power back to households or the national grid.
Key facts
5 facts
- The trial involves up to 100 two-way chargers in homes, fleets, and depots
- The project is a collaboration between EECA and OpenLoop
- The trial builds on an existing smaller trial in Queenstown
- Two-way chargers allow electricity to flow from the vehicle to the grid or home
- The technology is currently relatively untested in New Zealand
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and Counties Energy’s OpenLoop have launched a trial for two-way electric vehicle (EV) chargers. This trial will install up to 100 chargers across homes, commercial fleets, and depot environments. The project aims to explore how bi-directional chargers can unlock the potential of EV battery storage.
Two-way chargers, also known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) or vehicle-to-household chargers, allow electricity to flow from an EV back into a home, building, or the national grid. This technology could allow households to charge vehicles when power is cheap and use the stored energy during peak times. Such systems could also help households maintain power during outages caused by severe weather.
The new initiative builds upon a smaller trial currently being conducted in Queenstown. Murray Bell, EECA policy and regulation group manager, stated, "We want this basically to be plug-and-play" so that owners can use the technology safely and easily. The trial seeks to address challenges such as battery performance concerns and compatibility between vehicles and chargers.
While two-way chargers are being rolled out internationally, they are not yet widely available in New Zealand. The trial will help build an evidence base to inform future policies and guidance for the technology. This research is significant as electricity demand is expected to increase as EV uptake grows.
Where reports differ
- One report specifies the trial includes Auckland and other urban areas, while the other focuses on the general scale of the trial
- One report notes the potential for EVs to power a household for three to four days during outages
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and RNZ.