<p>Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is rapidly evolving in response to the growing demand for energy conservation, environmental sustainability, and smart city development. Current V2G studies primarily focus on isolated power-energy or power-transportation systems, often lacking a holistic framework that integrates energy, power, and transportation couplings. This gap hinders a thorough understanding of the field’s knowledge structure and developmental trajectory. In this study, we analyze 576 journal articles indexed in the Scopus database and published between 2011 and 2023. We present the first bibliometric synthesis of V2G applications from the perspective of energy-power-transportation tri-system coupling, using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. Findings reveal that in recent years, the V2G sector has undergone a marked transformation, shifting focus from grid management and load balancing to integrated energy and transportation system management. Recent research focused primarily on topics such as smart grids, energy storage, and secondary battery laddering. Challenges like user acceptance, policy alignment, and social equity require additional focus and development. The results not only underscore the importance of international cooperation and promote energy transition but also advance sustainable development and provide evidence-based policy guidance.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>