By Deji Osas
Auto News Editor
One of the most underrated perks of driving an electric vehicle is the ability to use it as a giant rolling power bank. Unlike gas-powered cars, EVs don’t need to idle or burn fuel to deliver electricity. Instead, they tap into their massive high-voltage batteries to run everything from small gadgets to heavy-duty appliances—all without spewing fumes.
This feature, known as vehicle-to-load (V2L), allows owners to plug equipment directly into standard household-style outlets built into the car. Whether it’s powering a fridge during a blackout, keeping tools running on a job site, or lighting up a campsite, V2L turns EVs into mobile generators.
It’s different from vehicle-to-home (V2H), which requires special hardware to connect your EV to your house’s electrical system, or vehicle-to-grid (V2G), which sends energy back to the power grid. V2L is the simplest and most flexible—just plug and play.
So, which EVs in the U.S. come with built-in outlets or V2L support? Here’s the full roundup:
GM Ultium Platform EVs
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2024 Acura ZDX & 2024 Honda Prologue – Both get a 110-volt, 150-watt outlet in the rear cabin.
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2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ – Up to three outlets, 400 W combined. Compatible with GM’s Energy PowerShift Charger for full V2H support.
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Cadillac Lyriq & 2026 Cadillac Vistiq – Each includes one 110-volt, 150 W outlet, plus compatibility with GM’s V2H setup.
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Chevy BrightDrop 400 & 600 Vans – Two outlets, 400 W total, designed for commercial use.
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Chevrolet Silverado EV & GMC Sierra EV – Heavy hitters with up to five outlets and 7.2 kW of exportable power, plus house-powering capability.
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2026 GMC Hummer EV – Two outlets (400 W total), but still supports GM’s home backup hardware.
Ford EVs
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F-150 Lightning – Up to 11 outlets and 9.6 kW of power via Pro Power OnBoard, plus whole-home backup when paired with Ford’s Charge Station Pro.
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E-Transit Van – Two outlets delivering 2.4 kW in the cargo area.
Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EVs
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Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Ioniq 9
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Kia EV6, EV9
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Genesis GV60, Electrified GV70
Almost all models offer V2L through an adapter, delivering between 1.9–3.6 kW. Most also include built-in cabin outlets.
Other Automakers
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Porsche Macan Electric – One 110-volt, 150 W outlet in the trunk.
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Rivian R1T & R1S – R1T offers three outlets (1,500 W total), R1S has two with the same output.
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Tesla Cybertruck – Tesla’s first model with V2L: five outlets with up to 9.6 kW, plus PowerShare adapter support for direct appliance charging.
Why It Matters
While outlets in cars aren’t entirely new, EVs take it to another level by offering far more power without needing to run an engine. Whether it’s for emergencies, work, or weekend adventures, these “batteries on wheels” are proving that electric cars are more than just a way to get from A to B—they’re a backup plan on four wheels.
