V2L explained: How your EV can power devices

Can you use an EV as a battery to power home appliances, tools or camping equipment? Depending on the make and model – yes. It’s called Vehicle to Load (V2L), and here’s everything you need to know.
What is V2L?
V2L is using the battery of a fully electric or plug-in hybrid to power other electric devices or appliances.
The high volage-battery is either converted to 12V DC, 24V DC or 240V AC.
Essentially, it’s replacing the function of a generator or auxiliary battery and inverter system.
When can I use V2L?
V2L is incredibly useful in a range of scenarios, including:
- Camping off-grid
- Powering tools on a job site
- Providing backup power during a blackout at home or work.
However, there are restrictions on the amount of power you can draw from the high-voltage battery at any one time.
Most vehicles offer around 2000-3000W of power (about the same amount a small portable generator can supply) but some vehicles offer up to 6kW or higher.
How long can I use V2L for?
It’s all dependent on the size of your vehicle’s battery, how much charge it has in it, and how much load you are using.
All those factors will determine how long you will be able to power appliances or devices for.
For example, say you had a fully charged 60kWh battery in your car and you wanted to run your fridge, some lights, a TV and the internet totalling 1000W of power.
You could run all of these for 60 hours straight before the vehicle’s battery would be depleted.
How is V2L power delivered?
Some vehicles come equipped with 12V sockets built in which is nothing new, but now they’re starting to have 240V household power points as well.
Other models use an adapter and power board that plug into the high voltage battery charging port.
There are an increasing number of vehicles now available on the Australian market that come equipped with V2L.
What V2L EVs are available on the Australian market?
|
Brand |
Models |
|
Audi |
E-Tron SUV |
|
BYD |
Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, Sealion 6 PHEV, Shark PHEV |
|
Cadillac |
Lyriq |
|
Deepal |
S05, S07 |
|
Farizon |
Supervan |
|
Ford |
F150 Lightning |
|
Geely |
EX5 |
|
Genesis |
GV60, GV70, G80 |
|
GWM |
Cannon Alpha PHEV |
|
Hyundai |
Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Kona |
|
Kia |
EV6, EV9, Niro, Sorento PHEV |
|
LDV |
eT60, Mifa9 |
|
Leapmotor |
C10 REEV, T03 |
|
Lotus |
Eletre |
|
MG |
MG4, S5, ZS |
|
Mitsubishi |
Eclipse Cross PHEV, Outlander PHEV |
|
Nissan |
Leaf |
|
Renault |
5 eTech |
|
Smart |
#1, #3 |
|
Volkswagen |
All ID models |
|
Volvo |
EX90 |
|
Xpeng |
G6 |
|
Zeekr |
X, 7X, 009 |
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