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What vehicle-to-load means
Vehicle-to-load, or V2L, lets some electric cars supply electricity to appliances through an on-board socket or a maker-supplied connector for the charge port. It is for appliances plugged into the car with a lead. V2L never feeds house wiring.
Kia says V2L uses a socket under the rear seats or the external charging port with its dedicated connector. It cannot be used while the car is charging. The default discharge limit is 20 per cent, which you can change in the vehicle settings. Renault's manual says its V2L works with the car stationary and parking brake applied. Its system can provide up to 16 A or 3.7 kW, and can switch off after about an hour unused or at the minimum battery level.
Which UK cars have V2L?
These examples come from the makers' UK pages or manuals checked on 5 November 2026. Features vary by model year and trim. Use your handbook to confirm your car.
| Car | How V2L works | Maker figure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 | On-board 230 V socket. | Up to 3.6 kW. | Hyundai UK |
| Kia Niro EV, EV6 and EV9 | Interior socket or charge-port connector. EV6 capability varies by trim; check the specification. | Check your handbook and trim. | Kia V2L and EV6 specification |
| Renault 5 E-Tech electric | Use the supplied V2L connector at the charge port. | Up to 16 A or 3.7 kW. | Renault manual |
Not listed? Check your handbook or ask the dealer. Don't assume your car has V2L, or that a third-party adaptor is safe.
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Use V2L safely
Use only the V2L connector or adaptor supplied for your car. Renault says never to connect an adaptor to its V2L connector. Don't use V2L if the connector or charge socket is wet or damaged, or outdoors in rain or lightning. Follow your own car's instructions.
Use a heavy-duty outdoor extension lead and fully unwind any reel. Renault says its extension lead must be no longer than 20 metres and fully unwound. Electrical Safety First says not to overload a cable reel or daisy-chain extension leads. Keep the total load below the lead's rating, use RCD protection and choose a weather-resistant lead for outdoor use.
Renault says not to connect devices that use more than 16 A, damaged equipment, or more than one multi-plug. If you use a multi-plug, its instructions say connected devices must not use more than 8 A. Don't run a lead through a window or door that won't close. We suggest placing appliances outside and keeping exits clear. Keep enough charge to drive if you need to. Use the car's discharge limit, which Kia sets to 20 per cent by default.
What could you run?
A fridge or freezer, lights, phone chargers and a router may be useful loads, subject to your car's limit and the appliance instructions. See food safety during a power cut and digital voice and broadband in a power cut. We don't give a runtime: car batteries, starting loads and appliance use vary.
Don't use V2L for medical equipment. Renault warns that the supply may be interrupted depending on vehicle conditions. Plan medical equipment with your supplier.
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Never feed your house wiring
Never plug a lead from the car into a wall socket to feed your home. V2L powers appliances through a lead. It does not power your house wiring.
Renault says not to attempt to power your home through V2L because this can cause damage and electric shocks. SP Energy Networks warns against connecting generators to home wiring without a proper connection installed by an authorised person. The same rule applies to a car's V2L socket. Read why a generator never plugs into a wall socket.
Vehicle-to-home is a fixed installation
Powering household circuits needs a bidirectional charger and safe separation from the grid, designed and installed by a qualified person. This is vehicle-to-home (V2H), not V2L. Ask a qualified installer what approvals and network notifications apply to the fixed installation. See how safe separation from the grid works.
If your car has vehicle-to-load, it can run appliances through a lead, but not your circuits. See home battery backup and safe grid separation. If an emergency rota is announced, check how rota power cuts work and what a power station can run as alternatives for selected appliances.
No V2L?
A portable power station can supply selected appliances indoors within its own limits. See portable power stations for home backup. Choose battery capacity against the appliances and run-time you need. An EV with V2L can complement a portable station when its approved outputs suit the load. For retailer category searches, portable power stations. For warmth, use layers and one warm room. Don't run a heater from a battery without checking whether the system is designed for it. Read the indoor heater safety guide.
Related guides
Common questions
Can I power my house from my electric car?
Not through V2L. V2L powers appliances connected to the car with a lead. Supplying household circuits needs a properly installed vehicle-to-home system that safely separates the home from the grid.
Which cars have V2L in the UK?
The maker pages checked here list Hyundai IONIQ 5; Kia Niro EV, EV6 and EV9; and Renault 5 E-Tech electric. Equipment can depend on model year and trim, so check your handbook or ask the dealer.
Can I use V2L while charging?
Kia says its V2L cannot be used while the car is charging. Check your own vehicle handbook.
How much can V2L run?
Hyundai lists up to 3.6 kW for IONIQ 5 and the Renault 5 E-Tech manual lists up to 16 A or 3.7 kW. Check your car handbook for its limits.
Is it safe to use V2L in the rain?
Renault says not to use its V2L outdoors in unsuitable weather such as rain or risk of lightning. Follow your own car instructions and keep connectors dry.
Sources
- Hyundai UK: IONIQ 5 features.
- Kia UK: V2L.
- Kia UK: EV6 specification.
- Renault 5 E-Tech electric manual.
- SP Energy Networks: emergency power cuts.
- Electrical Safety First: extension leads and cable reels.
- Electrical Safety First: outdoor electrical safety.
Sources checked 5 November 2026. Car figures are makers' published figures.