Policies, Regulations & Frameworks related to the V2G Ecosystem

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) refers to bidirectional charging solutions that allow electric vehicles to not only consume electricity, but also feed it back into the grid or provide flexibility services when needed. Because it connects energy, mobility, digital infrastructure and standards, V2G is inherently cross-cutting and directly relevant to the CEI pilots, where smart charging and data-driven energy services are tested in real-life conditions. This landscape also reflects the policy and regulatory context discussed during the V2G Leaders Europe 2025 Summit in Brussels (20 November 2025), where policymakers, industry and researchers converged on a shared message: V2G is moving beyond pilots, and the focus is now on scaling it through interoperability, investable market conditions and clear benefits for end users.

 
V2G

Policies, Regulations & Frameworks related to V2G

A structured overview of EU and national instruments, grouped by policy domain.

1. Core EU Energy and Climate Policy Frameworks

Overarching policy objective driving electrification, decarbonisation, and V2G relevance.
Policy priority where electrification (including transport) is positioned “high on the agenda.”
Strategic framework emphasising flexibility, electrification, and V2G as competitiveness levers.
Reference document shaping debates on flexibility and energy market design.
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2. Renewable Energy and Climate Targets

(revised directive, adopted 2023; applied 2024–2025).

  • 42% renewables target by 2030 across sectors.
  • Article 20a(3) on data access, interoperability and flexibility-related data exchange obligations.
  • Guidance evolving “from guidance to notice,” implying stronger enforceability.
32% electrification by 2030. Not a standalone regulation, but embedded in EU energy and industrial policy planning.
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3. Electricity Market and Grid Regulation

Key elements include:

  • Obligation for Member States to assess flexibility needs.
  • Direct links to demand-side flexibility and V2G integration.

Announced for release “before Christmas / end of the year.” Includes:

  • Operational and regulatory guidance for grid investments.
  • Cross-border grid integration.
  • V2G-relevant flexibility provisions.
Coming out soon, with the demand-side flexibility network code expected by 2026. These are binding secondary EU electricity market rules.
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4. Transport and Mobility Regulation

Regulates EV recharging infrastructure deployment and minimum requirements for publicly accessible charging points. Central to V2G scalability.
Announced 5 March 2025. Includes V2G-specific regulatory sandboxes and competitiveness/industrial measures for the automotive sector.
Formal EU policy coordination platform (not a regulation). Works jointly with Data4Energy and the Coalition of the Willing on V2G alignment.
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5. Data, Digital, and Interoperability Policy

Includes a European data exchange layer and interoperability requirements; intended to connect with the Mobility Data Space.
In relation to alignment and interoperability with the Energy Data Space.
Funding and policy support for common European data spaces and energy digitalisation.
Strategic initiative to increase data quality and accessibility across sectors.
Expert group supporting energy-sector data exchange and access rules; defines “3+1” use cases including smart bidirectional charging.
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6. V2G-Specific Governance and Coordination Frameworks

Voluntary but structured intergovernmental cooperation framework (explicitly referenced, including an official publication link).
Embedded in the Automotive Action Plan and grid/market design reforms; used to test V2G under real-life regulatory conditions.
Formal joint policy coordination effort, with a commitment to deliver a Joint Final Report by Q2 2026.
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7. Research, Innovation, and Industrial Policy Instruments

Funding and coordination framework for bidirectional charging research and innovation projects.
Includes V2G projects since 2019 and plans for large-scale demonstration projects in 2026–2027.
Joint Undertakings (JUs) – Automotive JU (under exploration)
Part of a broader EU industrial and innovation strategy and linked to the upcoming EU Innovation Act.
EU Innovation Act (upcoming)
Forthcoming legislation shaping industrial innovation governance and the JU ecosystem.
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8. Standards with Regulatory Relevance

Identified as “key.” De facto mandatory via references in AFIR, RED and interoperability requirements. Governs EV–charger communication, including V2G.
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9. National Regulatory Frameworks

National Regulatory Sandboxes and Frameworks

Policy-relevant enabling environments:

  • Netherlands (Utrecht V2G sandbox, 2014–2018)
  • France (commercial V2G without sandbox)
  • Germany (regulatory framework under development)
  • Finland (aggregator/VPP-friendly framework)
  • United Kingdom (smart tariffs and flexibility regulation, Innovate UK / NESO context)
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10. Energy Market Instruments

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
In relation to upcoming European Commission recommendations expected in 2026.
Energy Taxation Framework (revision / recommendations)
Forthcoming European Commission work in 2026.
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