Utrecht's EV Fleet Is Quietly Powering the Grid

New research confirms bidirectional EV technology is commercially deployable now, using off-the-shelf hardware already running in the Netherlands

29 Apr 2026

A study published on 28 April by the University of Edinburgh has found that vehicle-to-grid technology, which allows electric vehicles to return electricity to the power network, is ready for broad deployment across Europe using hardware already on the market.

The findings draw on Utrecht Energized, a car-sharing scheme running in the Dutch city of Utrecht since June 2025. The programme operates 150 electric vehicles that charge on surplus solar power and discharge electricity back to the local grid during peak demand. It is the first large-scale bidirectional scheme of its kind in Europe.

The results are notable. Within five months, 50 vehicles alone returned more than 65,000 kilowatt-hours to the grid. The fleet is set to grow to 500 vehicles by the end of 2026.

"The project delivers real-world, operational evidence, beyond trials, that V2G can ease grid congestion, reduce private car ownership and support renewable energy integration." - Dr Jess Britton, Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh

For fleet operators, the commercial logic shifts. A bidirectional fleet is no longer simply a cost. It becomes an asset that can generate value by stabilising electricity networks when demand is high.

The researchers have outlined specific policy steps: require V2G capability in public procurement before charging infrastructure becomes fixed; make grid constraint data publicly available; and align technical standards across borders to give manufacturers reason to commit at scale.

Grid congestion is already a growing problem across Britain and the continent. National modelling suggests that networked EV batteries could provide up to 50 gigawatts of clean, flexible capacity in Great Britain alone by 2050. Utrecht Energized offers a tested model for cities and fleet operators that do not wish to wait.