Battery Electric Cars (BEVs) have introduced a flurry of fresh terms and functionalities along with them. Vehicle to Load, or in short, V2L, is one of those. Let's understand what V2L implies for owners of Electric Vehicles (EV).
V2L may sound intricate but it's quite simple. It refers to the use of your EV or Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)'s powerful battery pack to power an external device. This could include a diverse range of equipment such as laptops, electric bikes, power tools, and even refrigerators. In fact, it could even be used to charge another electric vehicle.
Electric vehicles are an excellent alternative for vehicle owners looking to decrease their vehicle size to cut down on operating and upkeep costs or amplify the use of solar energy at home.
Understanding Vehicle to Load (V2L)
The operation of V2L is straightforward. Just plug in the extension cord to your electric vehicle and the device you wish to power, and you're good to go. The V2L adaptor is fitted to the external charging port or through a conventional 240V three-pin socket inside the cabin. feyree provides V2L discharger for Hyundai, Kia, MG and Chinese brands of electric vehicles.
Do bear in mind, however, that not all EVs and PHEVs come equipped with V2L capabilities. Power utilization relies on the output of your vehicle's battery pack and the power draw of the device you're connecting to it.
Here's an example. EVs and plug-in hybrid cars with V2L capabilities offer a peak usage rate between 1.5kW and 3.6kW. Note that this peak output is not maintainable often for more than a few minutes at a time, making the continuous power capability that can be upheld over a longer duration highly significant.
Plugless hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 can't offer V2L as their battery packs are relatively tiny. On the contrary, a Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV's battery boasts at least 58kWh capacity, while a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is 20kWh.
A Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV can even power a coffee maker.
What devices can be powered with V2L?
From a refrigerator drawing 140 watts, LED TV needing 120W, to a laptop requiring 60W, an EV or PHEV's battery and V2L system can power any of them. However, other appliances might pose a challenge. For instance, the average kettle consumes 1,200 to 1,500 watts of power during operation.
V2L isn't to be confused with bidirectional charging capability, or V2G (vehicle-to-grid) or V2H (vehicle-to-home) charging. This is a more complex setup that provides power from your electric vehicle into your home's electrical grid.
Need for Vehicle to Load (V2L) capability
V2L can come handy in a wide variety of situations when you're on the go or parked at home.
Car manufacturers often cite camping as an ideal situation for V2L. Instead of CO2 emitting gas appliances, you can switch over to electricity. If your vehicle is charged with renewable sources, it's a win-win.
V2L has also proved its worth during grid blackouts. It's possible to connect a power cable from your electric vehicle's battery to your home to keep essential items like a refrigerator running. A striking example is of a family that kept their son's dialysis machine going during a blackout by plugging in their BYD Atto 3 EV.
Vehicle to Load (V2L) in future
As more electric vehicle models are sold , V2L is anticipated to become more common.
Are there any issues with Vehicle to Load (V2L)?
Not many problems generally arise with V2L. It's quite simple to use, and the power electronics in BEVs and PHEVs are smart enough to safeguard the system from any potential risks.
