As Cyclone Alfred brought power outages to 450,000 homes in Australia, EV owners stepped up as generators using their vehicle-to-load systems (V2L), providing a reliable backup power source during the storm.
When Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall in Australia, Kat Hickey and her husband were among 450,000 homes to lose power. The couple had a nine-month-old daughter and a three-year-old son, and they knew that having a reliable way to sterilise bottles and boil water for formula was critical.
The Power of V2L: EV Batteries as Backup Generators
Hickey’s husband has an electric vehicle (EV) with a battery capacity of 60kWh, which can power their home using the vehicle-to-load system (V2L). The couple hooked up a fridge, kettle, toaster, phone chargers, laptop charger, and lamp – and then, they had light. They called the lamp their ‘canary,’ as it became essential during the storm.
A Clever Solution to a Critical Need
Social media is filled with EV owners who delight in sharing clever ways to take advantage of their vehicles. People have powered induction cookers and coffee machines when camping, while some drivers use V2L functionality to refuel stranded EVs on the roadside. Not all electric vehicles have V2L capacity, but in the wake of Cyclone Alfred, these systems are again proving their worth as emergency generators in natural disasters.
As of 2022, there are over 1 million electric vehicle (EV) owners in the United States.
EV owners tend to be highly educated, with a median household income of $100,000 or more.
They also prioritize environmental sustainability, with 70% citing climate change as a reason for choosing an 'EV'.
The majority of 'EV' owners live in urban areas, and 60% have a college degree.
These demographics indicate that 'EV' ownership is becoming increasingly mainstream, but still appeals to a specific segment of the population.
A Community Comes Together
Matt McLaughlin, an EV driver and a member of the Rural Fire Service (RFS), says that the destruction caused by Cyclone Alfred is widespread where he lives. During the storm, a three-tonne tree missed his bed by a metre and a half, taking out his deck and crushing his barbecue. However, thanks to three EVs owned by himself, his wife, and father, McLaughlin’s family is doing well.
A Program to Support Disaster Recovery
MyCar (formerly Kmart Tyre and Auto) has trialled a program where EV drivers can register to help out during disaster recovery. So far, over 100 people have registered with ‘The Chargers,’ a program that sends a text message alert to those within 250km to be on standby to help out.
According to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), electric vehicle (EV) owners are predominantly male, with 62% of EV buyers being men.
In terms of age, the majority of EV drivers are between 30-59 years old, with 55% falling within this range.
Additionally, EV adoption is highest among households with higher incomes, with 70% of EV owners having a household income above $100,000.
These demographics suggest that EVs appeal to environmentally conscious individuals who have the means to invest in sustainable transportation.
A Newfound Appreciation for EVs
For Kat Hickey, the experience has made her car ‘that much more valuable’ to her. She is now thinking about long-term plans to swap out their gas cooker for induction, a battery for their home solar panels as insurance, and potentially, electric hot water.
The power of V2L has shown that EV batteries can be a reliable backup generator in the face of natural disasters. As the country continues to experience power outages due to extreme weather events, it’s clear that these ‘batteries on wheels’ will play an increasingly important role in keeping communities safe and connected.
V2L is a technology that enables electric vehicles to supply power to external devices.
It uses the vehicle's onboard electrical system to provide electricity, often through a charging cable or adapter.
This feature allows EV owners to charge other devices on-the-go, such as laptops, tablets, and even power tools.
V2L systems typically have a maximum output capacity of 3-4 kW, depending on the vehicle model.
As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, V2L technology is expected to play a significant role in enhancing their practicality and convenience.
