V2L vs V2H vs V2G: What Can Your Car Power?
Learn the difference between powering devices, backing up your home and sending car-battery power to the grid. Check equipment, approvals and limits.
V2L, V2H and V2G describe where power from your car goes. They cover plug-in devices, home circuits and the grid. A car that can do one job may not be able to do the others.
Choose the job you need, then check the exact car and equipment approved for it. Our home EV charging guide covers ordinary charging. Hyundai and Kia owners can use the V2X checklist for their vehicle-specific checks.
🛑 Backfeed hazard: Never feed car power into a household wall outlet or use a cord with a plug at both ends (a male-to-male cord). Supplying home circuits needs a professionally designed, approved connection. It must include the right controls and equipment to isolate the home from utility lines when required. A socket on the car isn't permission to make your own home connection.
What do V2L, V2H and V2G mean?
| Function | What it can power | What to check | What it doesn't mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| V2L: vehicle-to-load | Compatible plug-in devices through an approved vehicle outlet or connection | Allowed devices, power limits, safety protection, location and instructions | Permission to power home circuits or send electricity to the grid |
| V2H: vehicle-to-home | Approved home circuits through a compatible home-power system | Eligible car, all equipment, isolation and transfer controls, supported appliances and local approvals | Every appliance will run, power will be unbroken or grid export is allowed |
| V2G: vehicle-to-grid | Approved electricity supply or services to the grid | Compatible equipment, utility connection approval, metering and program rules | Automatic home backup or guaranteed income |
V2X is the general name for these uses. The DOE's bidirectional charging guide explains how vehicles can store energy and supply buildings or the grid. Its fleet examples explain the idea. They aren't lists of compatible home systems or forecasts of what a homeowner will earn.
Check what your car can safely power with V2L
V2L can power certain plug-in appliances if your exact car supports it. Check the manual for the power it can supply continuously, the extra power needed at startup and the total limit for devices used together. Also check the minimum battery charge and rules for weather and location.
A fridge may need more power to start than to keep running. Its average energy use won't tell you whether the car's outlet can start it. A plug that fits doesn't confirm the right voltage, grounding or safety protection either. Use approved equipment for your U.S. vehicle; ratings from another country may differ.
Check what happens when the car reaches its minimum charge or shuts down. 🛑 Medical-device backup: Don't assume a general vehicle outlet will provide power without interruption. If continuous power is essential, arrange a suitable backup plan with the device supplier and care team.
Check everything needed for V2H
V2H needs a complete home-power system. Some designs convert power in the vehicle; others use equipment outside it. They also need compatible supply equipment, transfer or isolation equipment and controls that work together. An ordinary one-way wall charger won't establish home-backup capability.
Confirm the exact model year, vehicle version, software and any feature activation. Ask which equipment models and home circuits are supported, and which installation approvals are needed. Also check whether the system works only during outages or supports approved uses while the grid is on.
For example, Tesla's Powershare guide lists different setups with and without Powerwall. It also includes vehicle eligibility checks. Check the actual combination rather than relying on a brand name or plug type. This example doesn't mean every Tesla is eligible.
Use the installation checklist to ask for a complete quote. Have the installer explain how backup starts, how long switching takes, how grid power returns and which appliances won't be supported.
Check your utility's V2G rules
A car and charger that can send power out still need the right V2G approvals. The utility may require specific equipment, a connection review, metering, enrollment and communications. Payments can depend on when you're available, how much energy you supply and the program's current terms.
The PG&E V2X program is one regional example with its own eligible products and supported uses. Check your own utility's rules. PG&E's offers and conditions don't apply nationwide.
Compare possible payments with charging costs, energy losses, fees, equipment costs and warranty terms. Include any requirement to keep the car plugged in. A program that pauses charging doesn't necessarily let you sell power. And approval to support the grid doesn't automatically mean the home has backup when the grid fails.
Check power, runtime and charge left for driving
Check both power and energy. Kilowatts (kW) tell you how much equipment can run at once. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) help estimate how long it can run. You still need to check startup power, voltage and the approved connection. A large car battery may have a much smaller power outlet.
Before estimating runtime, check what the usable battery figure includes. Then note the starting charge, the charge you'll keep for driving and the losses in supplying power to the house. Allow for a tougher outage than expected. The battery's full capacity isn't all available for home use.
The EV vs home battery guide works through an example that keeps charge for driving. The home battery sizing worksheet helps you list appliances and check running and startup power separately.
Check solar backup and safe operation
Don't assume existing solar will work during an outage or that separate backup systems will work together. Ask the designer how solar, vehicle charging and controls interact. Check what happens when the car leaves.
Read the solar outage guide before counting on sunshine to recharge the car. Clouds or an unavailable public charger can change a multi-day backup plan.
🛑 Equipment safety: Don't modify vehicle batteries, bypass safety controls or experiment with home connections. For damaged, flooded or faulty equipment, follow the maker's emergency instructions and get qualified help. If there's smoke or fire, move away and call emergency services.
Questions to ask before buying
- What is included: plug-in devices, outage backup, home use while the grid is on or power sent to the grid?
- Which exact car, software and equipment are approved to work together?
- Which appliances can run, what are the power limits and how long does switching take?
- How much charge must be kept, and what use limits apply?
- Who gets local and utility approvals, and what ongoing costs will you pay?
- What still works if communications fail or the car is away?
Conclusion
Decide what you want the car to power, then check the approved setup, operating limits and permissions. V2L, V2H and V2G are useful in different ways, but one label won't confirm every capability.
Read our Energy Efficiency guides for more help with charging, solar and backup power.
Scott Harding
Scott is the main author of DIY Home Comfort. Learn more about the team and our approach on the About page.
