Can My EV Assist during a Power Outage? bi directional charging

Picture this: You’re in the middle of watching your favourite reality show when—bam!—the lights go out. In the good old days, you’d scramble for a torch and start hunting for candles. But in the brave new world of electric vehicles, your car might just save the day. That is, if it’s not a Tesla.

Yes, despite its reputation for innovation, Tesla has opted out of the Vehicle-to-Home (VTH) and Vehicle-to-Grid (VTG) game. It’s hardly a shocker given the brand’s well-documented resistance to making customers’ lives easier. But other brands are stepping up where Tesla refuses to tread.

VTL, VTH, and VTG – What’s the Difference?

Vehicle-to-Load (VTL) is the simplest form of external power. Some EVs come with a regular household socket inside or on the exterior via an adapter, allowing you to power small appliances directly. Handy for a camping trip or keeping the fridge running in a blackout, but limited to around 3kW.

VTH takes things up a notch, connecting your car’s battery directly to your home’s power system. This means you can use household appliances normally (within reason) during an outage. VTG goes even further by allowing your EV to send energy back to the grid, turning your car into a mini power plant. Some places even let you sell excess energy back to energy providers, making your car work for you even when it’s parked.

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The Reality in Australia

Sadly, Australia’s snail-paced adoption of renewables means that VTG is still in its infancy here. While the ACT ran some promising trials, only South Australia currently allows VTG on a broader scale. That leaves most Aussie EV owners stuck with VTL, while other countries enjoy the full trifecta of VTL, VTH, and VTG.

Kia’s EV9 and EV5 both offer all three features, but not in Australia—yet. Other brands may unlock VTG capability via a software update, but for now, it’s mostly a waiting game.

The Catch? Battery Life

While using an EV as a home power source sounds fantastic, it’s not without drawbacks. Battery longevity is affected by charge and discharge cycles, temperature, and overall use. The good news? Studies suggest that slow VTG discharge rates don’t necessarily degrade battery life—some even indicate that controlled grid storage can extend battery longevity.

Should You Plug In?

If your EV has a power outlet inside, you’ve got at least VTL. For anything more advanced, check your user manual. As the technology improves and regulations catch up, future EVs could double as personal power stations, making blackouts a thing of the past. Until then, maybe keep those candles handy.

There is a very good Wiki article on the subject HERE

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