Can my EV power my home?
Some EVs can back up your whole house. Some can only run a kettle. Most can do neither. Check yours.
Your car
Verdict
Pick your model to see its verdict.
V2H vs V2L: what the letters mean
V2L means vehicle to load. Your EV becomes a big power bank with sockets. You can run a fridge, tools, or a campsite from it, typically up to about 3.6 kW. No home wiring needed.
V2H means vehicle to home. The EV feeds your house wiring through special equipment and can run the home during an outage. An F-150 Lightning with a full battery can back up an average US home for about three days. V2H always needs professional installation: a compatible bidirectional charger plus a transfer switch or home integration system, typically $4,000 to $8,000 installed in the US.
Why most EVs cannot do this yet
Bidirectional charging needs hardware in the car designed to push power out through the charge port, and manufacturer software to allow it. Most EVs on the road were not built for it. The list is growing fast, so if your model is not there yet, it may come with a software update or your next car.
UK note
V2H equipment in the UK is earlier stage. CHAdeMO cars like the Leaf have worked with Wallbox Quasar for years, and CCS-based V2H hardware is arriving through trials and early products. Check that any installer is registered and notifies your DNO.
Capabilities vary by model year, market, and software version. Confirm with your manufacturer before buying equipment. This is general information, not installation advice.