What is V2L for new energy electric vehicles?
Bidirectional charging is a feature in electric vehicles that allows the vehicle’s battery to both receive and supply electrical energy. V2L(Vehicle to Load) is useful for powering appliances, tools, or electronic devices during outdoor activities, camping, or when access to a traditional power source may be limited or unavailable.
What type of electric vehicle is equipped with V2L? There is a 3-pin socket inside the vehicle, which is an adapter (discharging device) required to use the external discharge port of the vehicle. The most effective way to confirm whether a vehicle has V2L functionality is to consult the manufacturer. V2L functionality is sometimes limited to certain types of vehicles within the same brand. Kia Niro and Hyundai IONIQ 5 usually have V2L on high-end models.
Where do I get an adaptor? This is typically an optional accessory that must be paid for separately; however, RTFLY, a third-party makers make adaptors for a lower price.
What is the maximum load? The number listed is the peak power output – supplied by the manufacturer. Almost all V2Ls are good for a continuous draw of around ten amps.
What can I plug in? Anything. However, some appliances with high loads should only be used briefly (in the same way you wouldn’t overload a multi-plug adaptor).
Won’t it drain the car battery? Yes, but given the size of many modern EV batteries, the draw may be less than you think. A fridge, for example, has an average draw of around 1 kWh per day. If an EV with a 64 kWh battery were 80% full, this would equate to 50 days of running the fridge until the battery was entirely discharged.
A function similar to V2L is V2H (Vehicle-to-home). EV(V2H) owners can use their vehicle’s battery as a backup power source for their home during power outages or to offset electricity costs during peak demand times. V2H means plugging into the home’s main switchboard. This requires specialised electrical work that isolates the circuit from accessing the grid.
V2L and V2H discharge have different application scenarios and technical principles, but both provide rich power consumption scenarios and energy-saving and emission reduction solutions for new energy vehicles. For current new energy vehicles, the most widely used function is V2L, which can effectively improve travel quality and work efficiency in self driving camping scenarios.