Vehicle-to-load (V2L) lets you power standard 230V appliances directly from your electric car’s battery, through a built-in socket or a charging port adapter. No home wiring, no Distribution Network Operator approval, no professional installation — just plug in and go. More than a dozen EVs sold in the UK in 2026 include V2L as standard or as a trim-level option.
V2L is the most accessible form of bidirectional power available today. Unlike vehicle-to-home (V2H) or vehicle-to-grid (V2G), it does not send power through your home’s circuits or the national grid. The energy flows from your traction battery through the car’s onboard charger and out through a standard socket — wherever you happen to be parked.
Key Takeaways
- V2L lets you power appliances directly from your EV’s battery — no home wiring or DNO approval needed
- More than a dozen UK EVs sold in 2026 include V2L, led by Hyundai and Kia E-GMP platform models
- Typical V2L output is up to 3.6kW — enough for most appliances but not electric showers or immersion heaters
- A 77kWh battery running a 2.4kW load can deliver approximately 24 hours of continuous power
- V2L is distinct from V2H — V2H requires a bidirectional charger and connects your car to your home’s circuits
What is V2L and how does it work?
V2L — vehicle-to-load — draws power from your EV’s traction battery and delivers it as standard 230V AC electricity. Most cars with V2L provide output through a socket located under the rear seat, in the boot, or behind a flap on the charging port. Some models require a manufacturer-supplied adapter that plugs into the Type 2 charging socket.
The output is typically up to 3.6kW — comparable to a standard domestic wall socket — and is completely independent of the grid. You can use V2L anywhere your car is parked: on a campsite, at a festival, in a field, or in your garage during a power cut.
V2L is distinct from V2H in a practical sense. V2H connects your car’s battery to your home’s entire electrical circuit via a bidirectional charger, feeding power to your sockets, lighting, and appliances throughout the house. V2L is simpler: one appliance, one socket, no infrastructure.
Which UK EVs have V2L in 2026?
The V2L list has expanded significantly in 2026. The Hyundai and Kia E-GMP platform — shared across the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, EV6, EV9, EV3, and EV5 — delivers V2L as standard at up to 3.6kW. Volkswagen’s updated ID.4 and ID.5 gained V2L capability in their 2026 UK models. The Nissan Leaf has offered V2L via a CHAdeMO adapter for some years.
| Make and model | V2L output | How accessed | Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 3.6kW | Under-seat socket + Type 2 adapter | E-GMP |
| Hyundai IONIQ 6 | 3.6kW | Under-seat socket + Type 2 adapter | E-GMP |
| Kia EV6 | 3.6kW | Under-seat socket + Type 2 adapter | E-GMP |
| Kia EV9 | 3.6kW | Under-seat socket + Type 2 adapter | E-GMP |
| Kia EV3 | 3.6kW | Under-seat socket + Type 2 adapter | E-GMP |
| Kia EV5 | 3.6kW | Under-seat socket + Type 2 adapter | E-GMP |
| Kia EV2 (GT-Line S only) | 3.6kW | Via adapter | E-GMP |
| MG4 | 3.3kW | Type 2 adapter | — |
| BYD Atto 3 | 3.3kW | Boot socket | — |
| Volvo EX30 | 3.7kW | Boot socket | — |
| Nissan Leaf | 3.6kW | CHAdeMO adapter | CHAdeMO |
| VW ID.4 (2026 update) | 3.6kW | Type 2 adapter | — |
| VW ID.5 (2026 update) | 3.6kW | Type 2 adapter | — |
A note on adapters: manufacturers vary in whether they include the V2L adapter in the box or charge extra. Check your specific trim’s equipment list before buying — particularly for the Kia EV2, where V2L is available on the GT-Line S trim only. Verify the VW ID.4 and ID.5 V2L launch status with Volkswagen UK at the time of purchase, as the 2026 update was announced in April 2026.
Some cars limit V2L output when the battery state of charge falls below around 20% to protect the battery and ensure you retain enough range to drive. Factor this into any extended power planning.
What can you actually power with V2L?
A 3.6kW V2L output is more capable than it sounds. Here is what you can and cannot run:
| Appliance | Typical wattage | V2L compatible? |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle | ~2,000W | Yes |
| Microwave | 700–900W | Yes |
| Laptop charger | 65–100W | Yes (many hours) |
| Electric lawnmower | 1,400W | Yes |
| Small fan heater | 2,000W | Yes |
| Induction hob (one ring) | 1,800–2,000W | Yes |
| Hair dryer | 2,200W | Yes (brief use) |
| Power drill | 700–1,000W | Yes |
| Electric shower | 9,000W | No — exceeds 3.6kW |
| Immersion heater | 3,000W+ | No — at or above limit |
| Air conditioning unit | 2,500–4,000W | No — likely exceeds limit |
For practical runtime, a 77kWh battery (as found in the long-range Hyundai IONIQ 6 or Kia EV6) running a continuous 2.4kW load delivers approximately 24 hours of power before significant battery depletion. Bear in mind this is an estimate — actual runtime depends on the specific appliance, ambient temperature, and your car’s minimum state-of-charge limit.
V2L vs V2H vs V2G — what’s the difference?
| Technology | Grid involved? | Home wiring needed? | DNO approval needed? | Typical output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V2L | No | No | No | Up to 3.6kW |
| V2H | No | Yes (bidirectional charger) | Possibly | Up to 7.4kW |
| V2G | Yes | Yes (bidirectional charger) | Yes (G99) | Up to 11.5kW |
V2L is the simplest starting point. V2H and V2G involve progressively more complex hardware, regulation, and cost. If you want to power individual appliances from your car, V2L requires nothing beyond a compatible vehicle. If you want to power your whole home through your existing sockets and wiring, you need V2H. If you want to earn money by selling power back to the grid, you need V2G.
For a full explanation of all three technologies and how they relate, read our bidirectional charging guide.
Do you need anything special to use V2L?
No professional installation is required. What you do need:
- A compatible EV with V2L capability (see the table above)
- The correct V2L adapter for your car — some models include this in the box; others sell it separately as an optional accessory
- An outdoor-rated extension cable if you are powering devices away from the car
- Awareness of your car’s V2L output limit — do not exceed it with combined appliance load
If you plan to use V2L during a power cut at home, position the car as close as possible to where you need power. Long extension cables introduce resistance and reduce the effective output slightly.
Do not attempt to connect V2L to your home’s consumer unit or ring main without proper bidirectional charging equipment and a qualified electrician. That is V2H territory, not V2L.
Ready to step up from V2L to powering your whole home? See our full guide to V2H-compatible cars to find which vehicles support home power delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK electric cars have vehicle-to-load (V2L)?
In 2026, confirmed UK V2L cars include the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, Kia EV6, EV9, EV3, and EV5, MG4, BYD Atto 3, Volvo EX30, Nissan Leaf, and the updated VW ID.4 and ID.5. The Kia EV2 includes V2L on its GT-Line S trim. Check your specific model’s trim list, as V2L is not always standard across all variants.
What can I power with V2L?
A V2L-equipped EV at 3.6kW can run a kettle, microwave, laptop, lawnmower, small fan heater, or a one-ring induction hob. You cannot run high-draw appliances such as an electric shower (9kW) or an immersion heater on V2L alone — these exceed the output limit.
Do I need to install anything to use V2L?
No professional installation is needed. You may need a manufacturer V2L adapter to plug appliances into your charging port. Some models include this in the box; others charge extra. Check your trim specification before buying.