The idea of using an electric car to power your home during a power outage is no longer just a concept - it's a reality for many EV owners. However, not all EVs are created equal when it comes to this feature. In fact, only certain models currently support vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology, which requires specific hardware and software.
["Modern EVs have large, efficient batteries that can store enough energy to power homes for days. This means backup power during a storm or the ability to use stored energy during expensive peak hours and recharge again when kilowatts are cheap. However, this doesn't necessarily mean an EV has the special hardware and software needed for V2H.", ["Ford's F-150 Lightning is one of the most popular electric vehicles that can be used to power homes. The truck's onboard batteries can send up to 9.6 kW of power back to the house, making it a reliable backup source during an outage. To make this work, owners need to install a Charge Station Pro home charger and the Home Integration System (HIS).", ["The total cost of this setup is around $5,000, including installation. While this may seem like a lot, it's worth considering that Ford's F-150 Lightning has up to 300 miles of range and can charge ultra-fast.", ["Kia's EV9 is another electric vehicle that offers V2H technology. When paired with the Quasar 2 bidirectional charger from Wallbox, a fully-charged Kia EV9 can power a standard suburban home for three days. The cost of this setup starts at $6,440, including installation.", ["General Motors' (GM) EV lineup is also expanding to include V2H technology. Every current GM EV model supports vehicle-to-home charging, thanks to the GM Energy Home System. This system can keep lights on for up to 21 days with a 2024 Silverado EV First Edition RST.", ["Nissan's LEAF is another electric vehicle that offers V2H technology in some markets. The all-new LEAF can be connected to a home energy management system, enabling users to power household appliances or charge devices using the energy stored in the vehicle's battery.", ["Polestar and Volvo are also rolling out V2H capabilities for their EV models. Polestar 3 owners in California can use dcbel's Ara home energy system to cut charging costs by up to $1,300 a year.", ['Tesla Cybertruck owners can use the Sigenergy V2X system, which works with several other EV models, including the Kia EV6 and Volvo EX30. This system can help drivers save money on their electricity bills and provide backup power during an outage.']]]]]]]]
Several EV manufacturers are now offering vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology, which allows electric cars to supply electricity back to homes or receive solar-generated energy.
