As fleet operators electrify their vehicles, the conversation most often centers on cost savings, emissions reductions and operational logistics. But there’s a quiet game changer emerging, V2G, or vehicle-to-grid technology. This isn’t just about plugging in just to draw power. It’s about fleets becoming dynamic power assets. Here’s how it works and why it matters.

What is V2G?

V2G refers to a bidirectional flow of energy between an electric vehicle (EV) and the power grid. In practical terms, when a compatible vehicle is parked and plugged in, it can receive energy from the grid to charge, or it can send energy back to the grid when demand is high.

For fleet operators, that means a parked vehicle doesn’t just sit idle, it becomes part of a broader energy system.

Why Fleets Are Especially Well-Suited for V2G

Fleets typically represent predictable, controllable vehicles:

they return to base,
are plugged in overnight,
and follow routes with known downtime.

That makes them strong candidates for V2G. In fact, analysts agree: while much public attention has focused on residential EV charging, fleet vehicles are the strategic sweet spot for V2G adoption. For example, an aggregation of fleet EVs can act like a virtual power plant, supplying stored energy during peak demand or emergencies, rathern than just drawing from the grid.

Business Benefits for Fleet Clients

Revenue generation - By enabling discharging to the grid during high-demand periods, fleets can participate in ancillary services, demand-response programs or energy arbitrage. One study found that scheduling optimal charging and discharging could increase fleet earnings by up to 12-38% in certain seasons. This transforms a cost center (charging vehicles) into a potential revenue stream.
Reduced peak demand charges - Many large operations incur steep electricity costs during peak hours. V2G allows stored vehicle battery power to offset those peaks, reducing demand charges and smoothing load profiles. As fleets scale, this becomes a material benefit.
Strengthened ESG and brand value - When a fleet can signal that its vehicles are doing more than just transport, they’re sharing energy, supporting the grid, lowering carbon footprint, that tells a compelling sustainability story. Investors, partners, and regulators are increasingly valuing such action.

What To Evaluate Before Implementing V2G

Compatible hardware and bidirectional chargers
Not all EV chargers support both power in and power out. Fleet operators must invest in a bidirectional-capable charging infrastructure. Additionally, the vehicles must support compatible communication protocols (such as ISO 15118) and host software systems.

Fleet schedule alignment
Because V2G works best when vehicles are plugged in during non-use hours, fleet scheduling must align: return-to-base, sufficient dwell times, controlled charging / discharging windows. Without that, the value of V2G diminishes.

Battery and lifecycle considerations
Repeated discharging can affect battery longevity. While research suggests the impact is manageable under controlled conditions, fleet managers must factor in warranty impacts, battery degradation and operational risk. An optimal program balances grid value with vehicle availability and battery health.

Regulatory, tariff, and grid-interface factors
To monetize V2G, fleets must access programs or markets that value discharging services (e.g., demand response, ancillary services). Market rules, tariffs, and grid-operator participation vary by region. A strategic pilot or phased rollout helps test economic viability.

Real-World Use Case

Imagine a delivery fleet of 50 EV vans returning to depot each evening. Through V2G, during peak grid demand (for example 5-8 PM), the vehicles discharge stored energy back to the grid, generating credits or reducing costs. Overnight they recharge at lower rates, ready for the next day’s routes. Over a year, the revenue stream or cost offsets could meaningfully reduce the fleet’s total cost of ownership.

Analysts project that fleets of this size and structure represent a large portion of the “flexible storage” capacity emerging in smart grids worldwide.

Steps To Get Started

Assess your fleet readiness: Determine dwell times, charging locations, vehicle idle windows, and how often vehicles are plugged in.
Pilot the technology: Select a subgroup of vehicles and invest in bidirectional chargers. Monitor cost, uptime, battery health, and grid-service revenue.
Engage utility and aggregator partners: Work with your local utility, energy aggregator or grid-operator to map available programs and tariffs.
Scale and integrate: Once the model proves out, expand to more vehicles, integrate with fleet management software, and tie charging operations to energy-management dashboards.
Communicate value: Showcase the additional value created for your business and stakeholders, beyond transport: you’re now an energy partner.

Looking Ahead

As more fleets electrify and grid flexibility becomes a premium, the line between transport and energy infrastructure blurs. Fleets will increasingly be judged by how well they integrate into the energy ecosystem, not just how many miles they drive.

V2G places fleets at the center of that transition. For fleet operators willing to invest now, the competitive advantage will be clear: lower cost, stronger sustainability profile, and new revenue channels.

Ready to explore how your fleet can become a power asset? Schedule a call with our team and we’ll walk you through gateway readiness, hardware options, and revenue models tailored to your operations.

How V2G Technology Turns Fleets into Power Assets