From Vehicles to Virtual Power Plants: How Germany’s V2G Reform Changes the Game for European Fleets
A recent legal reform in Germany is changing how fleets electrify, operate and contribute to the energy system. At the heart of this shift is bidirectional charging. It gives electric vehicles a new role and a new business model.
By removing key legal barriers to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging, Germany has made it possible for EVs to become active energy assets. They are no longer just consumers, but contributors to the grid. For fleets, this is more than a national policy change. It marks a broader transition.
The reform: EVs recognised as grid resources
Until recently, feeding electricity back into the grid with an EV came at a cost. Double taxation and grid fees made V2G commercially unviable, especially for fleets.
That has now changed. From 2026, EVs will be officially recognised as mobile storage under Germany’s Energy Industry Act (EnWG). Electricity returned to the grid will no longer face double charging.
This aligns EVs with stationary battery systems in regulation and removes a key barrier for fleets. According to the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA), this reform is a major step forward. It enables EVs to access energy markets and supports long-term system planning.
A wider shift: Europe prepares for flexibility
Germany is not alone. In the Netherlands, Utrecht Energized project shows how shared EVs can feed energy back into the grid and help balance supply. Similar pilots in France and the UK are exploring the same concept. While many demonstrate technical success, regulations and incentives still vary across Europe.
At EU level, policies such as the Green Deal and Fit for 55 are driving the transition towards decentralised and flexible energy systems. These frameworks support technologies like V2G, but legal clarity is only the first step.
Real-world implementation also depends on infrastructure rollout, adoption of standards like ISO 15118-20, and the ability of local grids to manage energy flows in both directions. For fleets, this is where coordination and real-time insight become essential.
The opportunity: fleets as energy partners
When vehicles can return electricity to the grid, they become more than transport assets. They become part of the energy system. This opens the door to new forms of value creation, from reduced charging costs to grid services such as peak shaving, load balancing and demand response.
According to the V2G Integration in Europe whitepaper by Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft (FfE), bidirectional charging holds clear potential for commercial fleets. Even under current market conditions, fleets can already contribute to flexibility services. Scaling this across vehicles and locations turns energy behaviour into measurable performance.
What it takes tounlock real value
Turning this potential into real results takes more than hardware. It requires access to the right data, well-timed energy decisions and smart orchestration across the fleet.
V2G can also deliver wider system benefits:
- Better use of renewable energy
- Less pressure on grid infrastructure
- More efficient energy use per vehicle
- Greater operational resilience
Fleet managers need clear visibility and control. Managing when and how vehicles charge or discharge is key to unlocking impact.
Moove’s role: enabling energy-aware fleet decisions
Moove helps fleets turn this transition into real results. Our platform acts as the intelligence layer between your vehicles, your operation and the energy system.
We support clients in four key ways:
- Optimising charging and discharging moments
Based on real-time tariffs, grid signals and operational schedules. - Maintaining control over fleet readiness
Ensure operational availability while unlocking energy flexibility. - Linking energy data to CO₂, ESG and cost goals
Track emissions, support sustainability reporting and improve performance. - Preparing for energy-based services and incentives
Turn data into action, with full transparency and control.
The bottom line: energy intelligence becomes a fleet advantage
This is not just atechnical development. It represents a shift in how fleets create value. Asgrid dynamics evolve and electrification accelerates, the ability to manageenergy will define tomorrow’s fleet leaders.
Moove gives operators thetools to act with insight. We turn data into strategy and help you unlock valuefrom every charge, every vehicle and every operational decision.
