Vehicle To Load: Can You Power Your House With Your EV? Part 1

Seems like I've caused quite a commotion. Upon stumbling across a post in my news feed discussing the concept of utilizing "vehicle to load" (V2L) to generate power for your household from your electric vehicle, I decided to inquire within my different Facebook communities about any real-life implementations thus far.

Here's my message: Hey everyone! I'm interested in crafting a piece for cleantechnica.com that explores the utilization of the power take off feature in electric vehicles, specifically focusing on models like Atto 3 and Ioniq 5. I'm seeking individuals who are open to sharing their personal photos and real-life encounters with this technology. Can an electric vehicle effectively supply power to your home during emergency situations? If so, how does it work? Regrettably, I own a Tesla, preventing me from conducting this experiment firsthand.

This is the tale that sparked my curiosity - I couldn't believe it was true: Katie Pie informed me that during the 4 days her electricity was out, she managed to sustain her essential appliances. Her car provided power for various devices such as lights, refrigerator, freezer, wireless internet, coffee maker, electric kettle, washing machine, and dryer. She accomplished this by using an extension cord and a power strip. The family had to manually handle the power distribution, such as unplugging the freezer while the washing machine was in use, and so on.

With the help of a BYD Atto 3 and numerous electrical cables, Katie managed to sustain the functioning of her residence amidst the power outage triggered by Cyclone Gabriel. The question now shifts from pondering about the actions to undertake in a crisis situation with an electric vehicle, to contemplating the predicament if one doesn't possess such a resource!

After enduring a four-day power outage, my car's battery was left at 70% capacity from its initial 100%. Besides the necessities, I only managed to do one load of laundry during this time. I should note that the vehicle's vehicle-to-load (V2L) function is only effective until the battery reaches 15% state of charge (SoC). Taking this into account, my revised estimate is that the car's battery can last for about 7-10 days during a power outage, which is half of what I originally anticipated (hilarious, right?). Surprisingly, we didn't have any issues with the 12v battery when we restarted the car after the power was restored. We resorted to using extension cords for all our power needs during the blackout, but we are currently working on a setup that will allow us to connect it to the house. I hope this information proves helpful. Sending best wishes to those still grappling with the aftermath of the cyclone. XX

"Update: My spouse returned (he works as an electrician) and mentioned that the restoration process might take around 14 days. This is because we didn't keep the deep freezer or refrigerator running constantly from the start. We still need to assess if our system can handle the water pump running up to the top tank, as our water supply relies on gravity. Fortunately, our V2L cable was delivered just the day before the storm hit! We consider ourselves extremely fortunate."

Kona coffee as captured by Tom Brady in an exquisite snapshot.

According to information found on Wikipedia, Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc on certain regions of the North Island of New Zealand in February 2023. This cyclone holds the title of being the most expensive tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere. The estimated total damages caused by its wrath amount to at least NZ$13.5 billion (US$8.4 billion). Out of this staggering sum, the preliminary estimated cost of insured damage stands at NZ$1.5 billion (US$920 million).

Ecotricity NZ has utilized electric vehicles (EVs) from BYD, Hyundai, and MG as portable power stations for their patrons. You can witness their endeavors (which only last 6 minutes) as they traverse treacherously affected roads, ensuring that electricity reaches those who have been affected by the blackout. It comes as no surprise that BYD is rapidly gaining popularity in Australia and New Zealand. Presently, BYD holds the second position in terms of EV sales in both countries, with the Tesla Model Y leading the charts.

Here's another example of how V2L stepped in to assist during a crisis in New Zealand. In this case, the individual had a solar panel system that generated 4 kW of power and was connected to an 8 kW battery backup for their house. The battery backup had the capability to discharge at a rate of 2.5-3 kW per hour. During a power cycling situation, the person used up the house battery in about 5 hours while powering three circuits: the TV, fridge, microwave, and internet. At that point, they had to resort to using their BYD battery. With the BYD battery, they were able to provide power to the TV, internet, two lights, and occasionally use the kettle when necessary. The fridge continued to function as well. To their surprise, the BYD battery lasted for a day and a half, only utilizing around 10% of its capacity. The BYD battery had a similar discharge rate as the house battery, around 2.5-3 kW. Overall, it performed exceptionally well in this situation.

Many individuals recounted their experiences of utilizing their V2L ability for camping and various other outdoor requirements.

The BYD Atto 3 comes to the rescue during times of energy demand. Image provided by Andrew Mcauley.

In a nearby park, we encountered a situation where the communal barbecue was out of order, leaving us unable to grill our sausages. Thankfully, Atto came to our rescue by utilizing an air fryer!

A few months ago, my grandson and I received an invitation to perform at an event in Gayndah. When we arrived, we discovered that the electricity was not working. Thankfully, we connected our Atto3 device and managed to complete our task successfully.

We accomplished it. We possess an Atto 3. During the winter season, we experienced a six-hour-long electricity failure. To tackle this inconvenience, we utilized the car to power a heater and boil water in the kettle. Absolutely clever!

In the midst of the floods that occurred in Brisbane last year, one of my acquaintances found a way to assist his neighbors by utilizing the energy of his Ioniq 5 to operate a powerful cleaning device. Interestingly, he intentionally chose the Ioniq over the Tesla primarily due to this particular capability. It turns out that he and his companions often indulge in an outdoor activity called rogaining, which is quite similar to orienteering, in the vast Australian wilderness. And now, with the help of his Ioniq 5, he is able to power the entire campsite during their adventures.

Returning to my Facebook inquiry: the majority of individuals grasped the message, while some found amusement in the term "power take off." They elaborated on the PTO found in tractors and land rovers or humorously suggested that one simply presses the accelerator to generate ample power for taking off.

Is it possible to connect your electric vehicle to your residential property and is it permissible? Moreover, would it be practical to do so? Imagine saying to your significant other, "Darling, I need to step out for a few hours, so I'll be unplugging the entire house." In all likelihood, you'll require a backup plan such as a home battery or access to the grid. Keep an eye out for our upcoming article where we'll explore the creative ways individuals have utilized their electric vehicle batteries to power their homes.

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