Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) turns your EV’s high-voltage battery into a portable power source. Using a built-in socket or an adapter at the charge port, you can run ordinary mains-powered devices — tools, appliances, camping equipment, or another EV — directly from your car. No home installation is needed, no grid connection is involved, and no special permissions are required.
In 2026, over a dozen EVs sold in the UK include V2L as standard. This guide lists every compatible model, what each outputs, and what you can realistically run from it.
What Is V2L?
V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) is the simplest form of bidirectional EV technology. Your car’s high-voltage battery powers a standard AC socket output — typically a three-pin UK plug, rated at up to 3.6 kW.
Unlike V2H (vehicle-to-home) or V2G (vehicle-to-grid), V2L does not require:
- A bidirectional home charger
- DNO permission
- A smart tariff
- Any home electrical work
You either plug devices into a socket built into the car’s interior or boot, or you use an adapter that connects to the car’s CCS charge port and converts it to a standard three-pin socket. V2L is available on vehicles whether you are parked at home, on a campsite, at a building site, or anywhere else you park.
It is important to note that V2L is different from V2H and V2G. V2L powers individual loads directly. V2H and V2G require specialist home charger hardware and power the whole house or the electricity grid respectively. See our V2H vs V2G guide and what are V2L, V2H and V2G guide for more detail.
What Can You Run on V2L?
At 3.6 kW, V2L can power most household appliances except high-draw items like electric showers, ovens, and heat pumps. Here is a practical guide:
| Appliance | Typical Draw | Runs on V2L? |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop | 45–100 W | Yes |
| Phone charger | 5–20 W | Yes |
| Portable fridge | 30–100 W | Yes |
| LED lighting | 10–40 W | Yes |
| Kettle | 2,000–3,000 W | Yes (but draws heavily from the battery) |
| Microwave | 700–1,200 W | Yes |
| Angle grinder / drill | 500–1,200 W | Yes |
| TV | 50–200 W | Yes |
| Immersion heater (3 kW) | 3,000 W | Yes — at maximum load |
| Air fryer | 1,200–1,800 W | Yes |
| Electric shower (8.5 kW) | 8,500 W | No — exceeds V2L capacity |
| Electric oven | 2,000–4,000 W | Marginal — may exceed capacity |
| Heat pump (typical home) | 2,000–5,000 W | Partial — check specific draw |
During a power cut, V2L at 3.6 kW is enough to run a fridge, lighting, phone charging, and a laptop simultaneously — covering the basics for most households until power is restored.
A 77 kWh battery running a 2.4 kW average load (fridge, lights, devices) would last approximately 24 to 28 hours. A 60 kWh battery at the same load lasts around 18 to 22 hours.
Full UK V2L Compatibility List (2026)
Korean Brands
Hyundai IONIQ 5
- V2L output: 3.6 kW
- Socket location: Interior boot socket (standard) and CCS port adapter
- Battery: 58 kWh (Standard) or 77.4 kWh (Long Range)
- Notes: One of the most versatile V2L implementations. Interior socket allows simultaneous driving use in some configurations.
Hyundai IONIQ 6
- V2L output: 3.6 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 53 kWh or 77.4 kWh
- Notes: V2L via adapter only; no interior socket.
Kia EV6
- V2L output: 3.6 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter and interior socket (GT-Line and above)
- Battery: 58 kWh or 77.4 kWh
- Notes: Interior socket on higher trims.
Kia EV9
- V2L output: 3.6 kW
- Socket location: Interior three-pin socket and CCS port adapter
- Battery: 99.8 kWh
- Notes: Also supports full V2H and V2G via bidirectional home charger. The largest battery in any V2L car in the UK.
Kia Niro EV
- V2L output: 3.6 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 64.8 kWh
Hyundai Kona Electric (65 kWh)
- V2L output: 3.6 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 65.4 kWh
Chinese Brands
MG4
- V2L output: 3.3 kW (standard) or 6.6 kW (Trophy variant)
- Socket location: Boot socket and CCS port adapter on Trophy; adapter only on standard
- Battery: 51 kWh or 64 kWh
- Notes: The MG4 Trophy is the only sub-£35,000 EV in the UK offering 6.6 kW V2L output. Exceptional value for V2L users.
BYD Atto 3
- V2L output: 3.3 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 60.5 kWh
BYD Dolphin (standard)
- V2L output: 3.3 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 44.9 kWh or 60.4 kWh
- Notes: The standard Dolphin is V2L only. The Octopus bundle variant provides full V2G/V2H via Zaptec Pro.
BYD Seal
- V2L output: 3.3 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 62.5 kWh or 82.6 kWh
MG ZS EV
- V2L output: 3.3 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 51 kWh
European Brands
Renault 5 E-Tech (52 kWh)
- V2L output: 3.6 kW
- Socket location: Interior socket and CCS port adapter
- Battery: 52 kWh
- Notes: Also supports full AC bidirectional (V2H/V2G) — the most capable affordable V2L car in the UK.
Volvo EX30
- V2L output: 3.68 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 51 kWh or 64 kWh
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- V2L output: 2.3 kW
- Socket location: Interior socket (120V / 230V variants by market)
- Battery: 77 kWh (5-seat), 86 kWh (7-seat)
- Notes: VW Group is rolling out BiDi OTA update for V2H/V2G on 77 kWh ID models; the ID. Buzz is included.
Other Brands
Chery Omoda E5
- V2L output: 3.3 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 61 kWh
- Notes: V2L via adapter at the charge port.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
- V2L output: 2.3 kW
- Socket location: CCS port adapter
- Battery: 70 kWh or 98 kWh
- Notes: Lower V2L output than Korean equivalents.
Cars Without V2L in 2026
The following popular EVs do not support V2L:
- Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (proprietary charging; no V2L)
- BMW iX, i4, i5 (no V2L in current generation)
- Audi Q4 e-tron, e-tron GT (no V2L in current generation)
- Mercedes EQA, EQB, EQC (no V2L)
- Vauxhall Mokka-e and Corsa-e (no V2L)
How to Use V2L: Practical Notes
Get the right adapter. Many cars supply V2L via the charge port using a manufacturer-specific adapter. These are not universal — a Kia EV6 adapter will not work on an IONIQ 5. Order the adapter for your specific vehicle from your manufacturer or an approved accessory supplier.
Check total load. The V2L socket has a rated limit (typically 3.3 kW or 3.6 kW). Running multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously can trip the circuit. Use a power strip with built-in circuit protection when running multiple devices.
Monitor state of charge. V2L drains the battery. Most cars will shut down V2L automatically when the battery drops below 15% to 20% state of charge, to preserve driving range. Plan your usage accordingly.
V2L and driving. V2L is for stationary use. You cannot power devices via V2L while the car is moving. Interior sockets on some models (IONIQ 5, Kia EV6 GT-Line) are the exception for charging phones and small devices on the move — but these are low-power USB-style outputs, not full 3.6 kW V2L.
V2L, V2H, V2G: What Is the Difference?
V2L is the entry level. It powers devices directly and requires no installation. If you want to power your whole house — not just individual devices — you need V2H. If you want to earn money by exporting to the grid, you need V2G. Both V2H and V2G require a bidirectional home charger and, for V2G, a compatible tariff.
For the full comparison, see our what are V2L, V2H and V2G guide. For whole-home backup, see our best EVs for home power during a blackout guide.
For the complete V2G ecosystem — how it works, which tariffs exist, and what it earns you — see our V2G in the UK guide.
Key Takeaways
- V2L lets you run standard mains-powered devices from your EV battery without any home installation
- Over a dozen EVs sold in the UK in 2026 include V2L, including the IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, MG4, and most BYD models
- Typical output is 3.3 kW to 3.6 kW — enough for a fridge, lights, phone chargers, and power tools simultaneously
- The MG4 Trophy offers 6.6 kW V2L output — the highest of any sub-£35,000 EV in the UK
- V2L requires a manufacturer-specific adapter for most vehicles — order before you need it
- V2L is not V2H or V2G — it cannot power your whole house and does not involve the grid
Frequently Asked Questions
Does V2L work during a power cut? Yes — it is one of the most useful applications. The car battery is independent of the grid. Plug in an extension lead and connect your essential devices. Output is limited to 3.3 kW to 3.6 kW, so you cannot run everything in your home, but you can cover the basics.
Can I charge another EV from my car using V2L? Yes. You can use the V2L output to run a standard three-pin socket charging lead for another EV. Charging speed will be limited to the V2L output (up to 3.6 kW), which is equivalent to roughly 13 to 16 miles of range per hour for a typical small EV — useful for an emergency top-up but not fast charging.
Will V2L drain my car battery quickly? At a 3.6 kW load, a 77 kWh battery would take around 21 hours to drain from 100% to 0% — though in practice the car will cut off V2L before zero. For moderate loads (1 to 2 kW average), a full 77 kWh battery lasts 35 to 75 hours.
Do I need to be stationary for V2L to work? Yes, for the full 3.6 kW V2L output via the charge port adapter or boot socket, the car must be parked. Low-power interior sockets (USB, 12V, or small AC outlets) on some models work while driving.
Which V2L adapter do I need? Each manufacturer uses its own proprietary adapter. Order from your car’s manufacturer or dealer. Third-party adapters are available but quality varies — check compatibility and safety certification before purchasing.
Useful Resources
Kia V2L Technology Explained — Kia UK