Most electric models feature V2L technology, which allows the vehicle to become a “power bank” to supply homes with energy.
Faced with the power outage in São Paulo, which began on Wednesday evening (10) and affected 2 and a half million households and more than a million still without electricity on Friday afternoon (12), JORNAL DO CARRO sought to understand if electric cars could contribute to this crisis. The response is encouraging.
Most electric models sold in Brazil have a technology called V2L, which is nothing more than the possibility of transferring the energy stored in the batteries to a residential electrical installation.
“Cars with V2L are increasingly popular in Brazil, all electric vehicles from BYD and GWM (the best-selling companies in the category) already have this technology,” says Evandro Mendes, advisor to the Brazilian Association of Electric Vehicles (ABVE) and CEO of Eletricus, a company specializing in charging solutions for electric cars.
It is possible to see that the majority of the country’s electric fleet is equipped with V2L, after all, BYD accounts for 77% of electric cars sold in Brazil until November 2025. It is worth remembering that the best-selling plug-in hybrid (plug-in) models in Brazil also have this possibility, these are: GWM Haval H6 and BYD Song Plus – this is only possible because there is greater energy storage capacity in the batteries.
“Considering an average battery capacity of 50 kWh, it is possible to imagine that a house could be supplied with energy, with essential services such as lamps, refrigerator, television, cell phone charging, for up to four days,” explains Mendes.
The specialist explains that it is necessary to have a V2L adapter to be able to connect the car to the residential electrical installation and that certain precautions must be taken. “The majority of those who use V2L in Brazil use a classic extension cord to which several devices are connected. It can work, but there are risks,” warns Mendes. The ideal is to always prepare the residential electrical installation to receive V2L, because without this you could cause a problem with the electrical network, including a risk of electric shock.
Simply adapt the domestic installation to receive V2L and the electricity connection will be made safely without compromising the electricity network or overloading the residential system.
The problem is that V2L can only be used by electric vehicle owners who live at home. According to Mendes, when it comes to residential buildings, the connection is more complex and is normally not permitted.
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