New Vehicle-to-Grid Guide for UAE: Latest Readiness of Buildings and EVs

Electric vehicles not only promise sustainable transportation by reducing emissions, but they are also cheaper to run and easier to maintain. EVs have the potential to power your home during a blackout or generate income by feeding electricity back into the grid. Though it sounds like sci-fi, this idea is closer than ever. 

The technology is called Vehicle-to-Grid, and the UAE is getting ready for it. However, there are a few things EV owners should know before actually trying to jump in. The reasons are simple: not all EVs support this feature, and not every building is ready yet. The infrastructure is still catching up, slowly and gradually. How do you know your EV is ready? How does it work? We tell you everything you need to know. 

What V2G Really Means 

Let's first understand what V2G really is. Think of your EV as a massive battery on wheels, as most electric cars today can only draw power from the grid to charge up. V2G does exactly the opposite. By flipping around, it takes excess power from your car back to your home if you need it or sends it back to the power grid when it's parked.

Often, EVs equipped with bidirectional charging can absorb surplus solar generation during the day and return it to the grid during peak evening hours when air conditioning demand surges.

In the UAE, this matters a lot, especially during the summer, as electricity bills spike when everyone just needs their AC at night. If your EV could supply power during those expensive peak hours and recharge overnight when rates are lower, you'd save money. You could also keep your fridge and AC running during power cuts.

The technology essentially works through bidirectional chargers. The regular charging of your EV means you pay to consume it, while bidirectional chargers let electricity flow both ways, a win-win for everyone involved. 

Where UAE Stands

The technology is making progress faster than one might believe. Right now DEWA operates 350 EV charging stations with more than 600 charge points, aiming to reach over 1,000 public charging stations by early 2026. 

But most of these are standard one-way chargers. DEWA is studying and testing vehicle-to-grid, which enables energy to be pushed back to the power grid from an electric car battery; however, it is not yet commercially available for EV owners.  Abu Dhabi is also hastening the development of its infrastructure. ADNOC Distribution and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company have agreed to build and operate up to 70,000 charging points by 2030 through their joint venture E2GO by 2030.

Building Readiness

This is where the realities for buyers and residents begin to unfold. As per Dubai's Green Building Regulations, 5 percent of parking spaces should be dedicated to green or low-emission vehicles. New developments must plan for EV infrastructure. 

All new buildings in Dubai, apart from villas, with over 20 parking spaces must provide designated preferred parking for a combination of low-emitting, fuel-efficient, and carpool vehicles for at least 5 percent of total parking spaces.

However, the gap persists as most buildings have basic AC charging infrastructure. V2G needs a more modern setup; you need bidirectional chargers, smart meters to track energy flow, and grid integration systems. Right now, there are pilot programs underway by DEWA and Masdar to assess its feasibility for consumer-level use before its wide-scale adoption.

One solution for apartment owners in older buildings is retrofitting, but this may not come cheap, and not everyone would like to spend. What is also needed is a thorough assessment of car park layout and power supply; it is essential before installing EV chargers to check if existing electrical infrastructure can support multiple chargers without overloading the system.

V2G Enables EVs in the UAE

Anyone on the lookout for a new car or planning one in the near future should keep buying a V2G in mind. This is because not all electric vehicles (EVs) have this capability.

Currently Available Models with Bidirectional Capability

BYD Atto 3: Equipped with Mobile Power Station technology, the BYD Atto 3 has V2L output capabilities and can supply electricity back to your home or power devices directly. The required output is 2.2 kW for continuous use and 3.3 kW for peak usage. That's enough to run your fridge, lights, and some appliances.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6: Both these models come with V2L functionality at 3.6 kW. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and its sister car, the Kia EV6, have V2L functionality. They have the hardware for V2G but need suitable bidirectional chargers and software updates to get the full benefit.

Kia EV6 and EV9: Kia's most advanced models, the EV9 and EV3, support V2G, V2H, and V2L technologies. The EV9 is available in the UAE and represents one of the most capable options.

The Nissan Leaf: A pioneer in electric vehicles, was among the first to support V2G technology through CHAdeMO. However, the UAE market uses CCS charging standards primarily, which creates compatibility issues.

Ford F-150 Lightning: If you are looking to buy an EV pickup, the F-150 is the right choice. It supports V2H at 9.6 kW output, which by all means is a serious power. But it's expensive and not as common in the UAE market.

Tesla Models: Currently don't support V2G in the UAE. The Cybertruck has bidirectional capability elsewhere, but Tesla's main lineup lacks this feature here.

The Technical Requirements

You can't just plug your V2G-capable EV into any socket and expect it to work. Here's what you actually need:

Bidirectional Charger: This unit is the most crucial and also expensive part. Right now the budget systems start around AED 18,500; the premium ones can go up to AED 55,000, including installation, which is certainly not affordable for everyone. 

Smart Meter: To track energy flowing both ways, smart meters are needed to track energy flow between the car and grid.

DEWA Certification: DEWA certification ensures safety and grid compatibility. Any equipment you install needs approval.

Also the installation isn't simple either. There is a process that includes a site survey with an experienced EV charging contractor that helps avoid costly modifications later. Your building's electrical capacity matters; the older buildings might need panel upgrades.

Real-World Economics

In most markets where V2G programs are mature, they find wide use and contribute approximately $1,000 to $2,500 in annual savings through time-of-use arbitrage. Some premium demand response programs pay up to $9,000 annually.

However, the UAE market will take time to mature; although we are making progress, we have not yet reached a commercially viable stage. DEWA offers some incentives for EV owners, free public parking, and Salik exemptions in Dubai, but no commercial V2G revenue programs are active for consumers. 

On the operational front, the UAE's climate is a real concern. Battery cooling remains a top concern in desert cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Top automakers like Tesla and Hyundai have advanced battery cooling systems and platforms designed for high heat endurance, which are suitable for UAE environments.

V2G cycles (charging and discharging) put extra stress on batteries, and modern systems use intelligent charge management to minimize degradation. Still, if you're constantly cycling your battery for grid services, expect slightly faster degradation than normal use.

V2G-Ready EVs Available in UAE (2025)	V2L Output	V2G Status	Approximate Price
BYD Atto 3	2.2 kW (3.3 kW peak)	Hardware ready, needs charger	AED 115,000
Hyundai Ioniq 5	3.6 kW	Hardware ready, needs update	AED 179,000
Hyundai Ioniq 6	3.6 kW	Hardware ready, needs update	AED 189,000
Kia EV6	3.6 kW	Hardware ready, needs update	AED 185,000
Kia EV9	3.6 kW	Full V2G capable	AED 249,000
Nissan Leaf	Via CHAdeMO	V2G capable (CHAdeMO)	AED 145,000
Ford F-150 Lightning	9.6 kW	V2H capable	AED 285,000

Conclusion 

V2G technology presents a significant opportunity for electric vehicle owners and is set to arrive in the UAE. Currently, the technology is in its early stages, laying the foundation. But it's not fully operational for regular consumers yet. If you're buying an EV today, choosing one with V2L or V2G capability gives you options for tomorrow. 

For now, find an EV that fits your driving needs, budget, and charging situation. V2G is a welcome bonus for the future, not the deciding factor today. The technology works with real benefits. The UAE is moving toward it, and we are in the early stages. This is not a race to the finish line.