India’s acceleration of its electric vehicle (EV) ambitions is on full scale, as the need to meet the sustainability targets by 2030 is at the forefront. And to meet the challenge head-on, the country’s EV charging infrastructure will no doubt form the most critical segment. Due to its centrality in making electric vehicles mainstream in the country. New and emerging technologies will also play a huge part in that. One of the major ones is, of course, Vehicle-to-Grid technology, known as V2G tech.
Why is that so? The answer is simple. It allows a bi-directional flow of energy. It enables EVs to both draw power from and feed energy back into the grid. Hence, in the long run, it promises grid stability, cost savings, and aims to boost India’s sustainable mobility story a little bit further.
Let’s explore it in detail.
Table of contents
The Promise of V2G: Power, Flexibility, Revenue
What does V2G technology accomplish? At its core, it enables two-way electricity exchange using bidirectional chargers and smart inverters. This helps EVs in storing renewable electricity during off-peak hours and supply or back during demand periods. In essence, they act as mobile energy storage systems.
Globally, it contributes a lot to load-shaving, voltage and power regulation. In a country like India, where grid strain is a recurring challenge–especially during evening peaks–V2G can go a long way to offer timely relief. In fact, when operated and controlled efficiently, it can also ease integration of solar and wind power–and reduce overall charging costs.
And yes, last but not least, it can offer financial benefits to fleet operators, who stand to earn ₹8,000–₹12,000/month per EV, while residential owners might save 30–40% on charging costs.
India’s V2G Tech Milestones & Pilots
Though still nascent, India’s V2G tech movement is progressing swiftly and with visible impact.:
- Pilot Programs: Delhi’s BSES and Tata Power are testing V2G tech on 500 e-buses; Bengaluru’s BESCOM is exploring integration with solar rooftop hubs. Academia and R&D are also joining in, with ISRO and IITs developing indigenous bidirectional inverters.
- Startups in Action: Delhi-based Sheru has rolled out a bidirectional energy platform named NetBat, enabling V2G interactions in collaboration with BSES Rajdhani, enhancing grid resilience.
- Policy & Smart Grid Engagement: In July 2025, ISGF in partnership with ANERT launched South Asia’s first V2G pilot in Kerala—a crucial step toward mainstreaming grid integration.
Looking ahead, aggressive adoption could unlock up to 20 GW of distributed storage capacity—equivalent to nearly 10% of India’s peak power demand—potentially generating over 50,000 skilled jobs.
Infrastructure, Technology, and Grid Hurdles in India
Despite enthusiasm, multiple challenges remain:
- Grid Readiness: India’s power infrastructure isn’t yet optimized for bidirectional flow. Transformers, substations, and local distribution networks need significant upgrades.
- Battery Life & Costs: Frequent charge-discharge cycles could impact battery longevity, and bidirectional chargers cost 2–3 times more than standard ones.
- Policy Gaps: Today’s static electricity pricing leaves little incentive for EV owners to sell back electricity. Dynamic tariffs, time-of-use pricing, and standardized regulations are currently lacking.
- Cybersecurity: V2G systems, with evolving AI and blockchain integrations, face emerging risks. Secure, resilient networks will be critical as adoption scales.
Engine of Innovation: EV Batteries & Sodium-Ion Promise
Homegrown battery manufacturing is all set to get a big boost in the coming years. The government has correctly identified that reducing the cost of EV batteries is critical to mainstreaming EV manufacturing. Sodium-ion batteries will come to the forefront, replacing traditional Lithium-ion options.
In 2023, KPIT Technologies unveiled India’s first sodium-ion battery, developed with IISER Pune, promising 25–30% cost reduction, faster charging, and longer lifecycles (3,000–6,000 cycles). No doubt that this is a sign of things to come.
These innovations could significantly reduce reliance on lithium imports, boost domestic manufacturing, and align with the government’s PLI (Production Linked Incentive) push for battery self-reliance.
2025: Why It’s a Critical Year for Indian EV
Recent movements (from both the government and manufacturing); as well as consumer behavior, indicate a positive trajectory for the future of EVs in India. Here are two important ones to take now:
- The government underwrites domestic battery electrode manufacturing—80% localized—via the newly launched Suzuki-Toshiba-Denso JV in Gujarat. PM Modi recently inaugurated these projects, including the home-grown eVITARA BEV for export.
- EV penetration is rising fast: While still early in absolute market share, India is carving out a reputation as one of the fastest-growing EV destinations globally, especially in two- and three-wheeler segments.
Together, these developments lay the foundation for V2G tech to gain strategic prominence—when infrastructure, battery technology, regulatory clarity, and consumer awareness align.
The Road Ahead: A Unified Vision for Sustainable Mobility
For India to truly electrify its roads—not just vehicles—it must embrace a cohesive strategy:
- Grid modernization must go hand-in-hand with EV infrastructure buildup.
- Battery innovation, especially sodium-ion, must be prioritized alongside lithium-ion.
- Policy frameworks need dynamic pricing, clear tariffs, and V2G-friendly regulations.
- Public-private collaboration and pilot programs (like those in Delhi and Kerala) should be expanded nationwide.
By turning EVs into active players in energy systems, not just passive consumers, V2G empowers mobility that’s smart, sustainable, and mutually reinforcing.
India’s EV journey is no longer just about adoption—it’s about integration. With V2G tech, the nation can drive forward not only its roads but its energy future—with resilience, innovation, and self-reliance at the wheel. For more on the future of Indian EVs, keep on following Ecozaar.
