EVD2 Now Tracks V2H and V2L Capability Across Every EV in Canada

One of the most underrated features in modern electric vehicles is the ability to use your car as a power source. Not just for charging your phone, but for running appliances, powering tools at a campsite, or keeping your house running during an outage. EVD2 now tracks this across every vehicle in our database.

What are V2L and V2H?

V2L (Vehicle to Load) lets you plug devices directly into your EV and draw power from the battery. Think of it as a giant portable generator. Most V2L-capable vehicles provide a standard household outlet (120V) either inside the cabin, in the trunk, or through an adapter on the charge port. You can run a fridge, power tools, a TV, camping gear, or charge another EV from it.

V2H (Vehicle to Home) goes further. With the right equipment installed at your house (a bidirectional charger and transfer switch), your EV can power your entire home during a grid outage. Some setups also let you use your EV battery to offset peak electricity rates by charging at night and powering your home during expensive daytime hours.

Why this matters in Canada

Power outages are not rare in Canada. Ice storms, windstorms, wildfire season, and aging grid infrastructure mean many Canadians lose power for hours or days every year. A V2H-capable EV with a large battery (60-100+ kWh) can keep a typical Canadian home running for one to three days depending on usage. That is significantly longer than most portable generators, and you do not need to store gasoline.

V2L is useful year-round. Camping, tailgating, running power tools in your driveway, charging devices during road trips, or just having a backup outlet whenever you need one.

Which EVs support V2L and V2H?

We now show this information on every vehicle profile page and in the comparison tool. Here is a quick summary:

V2L + V2H capable: - Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 5 N, IONIQ 6, IONIQ 9 - Kia EV6, EV9 - Ford F-150 Lightning - Genesis GV60, Electrified G80, Electrified GV70

V2L only: - Nissan Ariya, LEAF (2025+) - Kia EV3 (coming 2026)

The Hyundai/Kia/Genesis vehicles use the E-GMP platform with a built-in V2L adapter on the charge port. The F-150 Lightning has a unique approach with its Intelligent Backup Power system that integrates directly with your home panel through a Ford Charge Station Pro.

How to compare

Head to the vehicle comparison tool and select any vehicles you are considering. The new "Power Export" row shows V2L, V2H, or both for each vehicle. It is one more data point to help you decide which EV fits your life.

Frequently asked questions

How much power can V2L provide? Most V2L-capable EVs output around 1.8 kW (15 amps at 120V) through the exterior outlet, which is enough to run a fridge, TV, laptop, phone chargers, lights, and small appliances simultaneously. Some vehicles like the F-150 Lightning offer up to 9.6 kW through their Pro Power Onboard system. You will not run a central air conditioner or electric furnace from V2L, but you can keep the essentials going.

Do I need special equipment for V2H? Yes. V2H requires a bidirectional charger (also called a V2H-capable EVSE) and typically an electrical transfer switch or sub-panel installed by a licensed electrician. The Ford F-150 Lightning uses the Ford Charge Station Pro ($1,310 plus installation), while Hyundai/Kia vehicles work with third-party bidirectional chargers from companies like Wallbox or dcbel. Expect to spend $2,000 to $5,000 on equipment and installation depending on your setup.

Will using V2L or V2H damage my EV battery? The extra charge cycles do add some wear, but the impact is minimal for occasional use. EV batteries are designed for thousands of charge cycles. Using V2L for camping trips or V2H during occasional power outages will not noticeably affect your battery's lifespan. Daily V2H cycling for energy arbitrage (charging at night, powering your home during the day) would add more wear, but even that is within the design parameters for most modern EV batteries.

Can V2H save me money on electricity? Potentially, if you are on a time-of-use electricity plan. You charge your EV during off-peak hours (typically overnight) when rates are lowest, then use V2H to power your home during peak hours when rates are highest. The savings depend on the price difference between peak and off-peak rates in your province. Ontario and some BC plans have meaningful time-of-use differentials that could make this worthwhile.

Does V2L work in winter? Yes, but your EV's range will be reduced since you are drawing from the same battery. If you are using V2L while parked at a campsite in winter, the battery will drain faster because the car also needs energy to keep the battery warm. Plan for roughly 30-40% less usable capacity in cold weather, same as driving range.

Which Canadian provinces have V2H-compatible electrical codes? V2H installations are permitted in most Canadian provinces, but the specific requirements vary. You will need permits and a licensed electrician in every province. Some utilities require notification or approval before connecting a bidirectional charger. Check with your local utility before installing V2H equipment.

Can I power my house and charge another EV at the same time? Not with V2L. But with a proper V2H setup, your home panel distributes power normally, so anything plugged into your house (including a second EV charger) could theoretically draw from the first EV's battery. In practice, you would want to be careful about total load to avoid draining the source EV too quickly.

What is next

We are working on adding more detailed V2L specs like maximum output wattage and outlet locations. If you have questions about how V2L or V2H works with a specific vehicle, check the vehicle profile page or get in touch.

Colin