Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology has reached an inflection point in Europe. After years of pilot projects and limited deployments, 2025-2026 is seeing the convergence of three critical enablers: protocol support (OCPP 2.1 with ISO 15118-20), regulatory framework development, and commercially available bidirectional chargers.
Regulatory Progress
The European Commission's revised Electricity Market Design regulation explicitly recognizes EVs as flexible energy resources. Several member states — notably the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and the UK — have introduced or are finalizing frameworks that allow EVs to participate in ancillary services markets. This means EV owners (and by extension, CPOs managing fleets) can earn revenue by providing grid balancing services.
France's recent energy regulation update includes provisions for 'flexibilité distribuée' that specifically mention bidirectional EV charging as an eligible resource. Italy and Spain are expected to follow with similar frameworks by Q4 2026.
Technical Stack for V2G
From a CSMS perspective, V2G requires significant platform capabilities beyond standard unidirectional charging. The CSMS must manage bidirectional power flows, communicate with Distribution System Operators (DSOs) or aggregator platforms, handle complex settlement and metering, and ensure that battery state-of-charge constraints from the vehicle are respected.
OCPP 2.1's ISO 15118-20 support provides the protocol foundation, but the CSMS integration layer is where the real complexity lives. Operators need to connect to energy market platforms, implement demand response logic, and handle the regulatory reporting requirements that grid participation entails.
Opportunity for CPOs
CPOs with V2G-capable infrastructure and CSMS platforms can position themselves as energy service providers, not just charging operators. The revenue potential from grid services — frequency regulation, peak shaving, congestion management — could significantly improve the economics of public charging, especially for locations with lower utilization rates.
The key requirement is a CSMS platform that supports OCPP 2.1, ISO 15118-20 integration, and has the architectural flexibility to connect to energy market APIs. This is not a feature you bolt on — it needs to be part of the platform's core design.