More EV Models Offer Deluxe Backup Power Features for Blackouts

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Keith McGrew, a 46-year-old resident of West Monroe, Louisiana, was able to power his home for several days during a recent blackout by using the backup power capabilities of his electric vehicle. The increasing availability of EV models with advanced vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) features is allowing more consumers to use their electric cars as emergency power sources during extended power outages.

Why it matters

As extreme weather events become more common, the ability of EVs to provide backup power during blackouts is an increasingly important feature for many consumers, especially those living in rural or disaster-prone areas. This trend could accelerate EV adoption and spur further innovation in vehicle-to-home power capabilities.

The details

McGrew was able to power his home for three days using the bidirectional charging capabilities of his electric vehicle. He was able to charge his car's battery during the day using a portable solar panel setup, and then use that stored energy to power his home's essential appliances and lights at night. This allowed him to avoid relying on a gas-powered generator during the extended outage.

• A recent blackout in West Monroe, Louisiana lasted for three days.
• McGrew was able to power his home using his EV for the duration of the outage.

What they’re saying

What’s next

As more EV models with advanced V2H and V2G capabilities become available, it's expected that the use of electric vehicles as emergency power sources will become more common, especially in areas prone to natural disasters and extended power outages.