[floxy]

Ah. I think lots of other people would like to keep their refrigerator and freezer and appliances running in the event of multi-day power outages when they are at home, even when it is not freezing (like in Florida, for example).

[jcgrillo]

Sure, but if you're already going to make the investment in the grid cutoff, inverter, etc then the fact the car could in principle act as a battery/generator is a little gimmicky. Might as well also get a generator (or battery if you've already got solar). Then it works automatically whether you're there or not.

[floxy]

The vehicle already has the inverter, using the same active rectifier hardware in the on-board charger. People want to have electricity when they are at home. And they are home a lot of the time. So I agree that it is a very niche case to want to have a backup system to provide electricity to your house during a natural disaster when you are not even there.

https://gmenergy.gm.com/for-home/products/vehicle-to-home-so...

[jcgrillo]

OK but you still need a grid cutoff--you absolutely can't put power into the grid when it's down. It's not a huge investment, but it's not nothing.

[Dylan16807]

All you really need is a $20-30 extension cord.

[floxy]

That's more like V2L, not V2H.

[Dylan16807]

Whatever you call it based on exact details, my point is that using your car for power is not "gimmicky" like they said. Based on budget you can get a transfer switch or you can get an extension cord. Either way you're making effective use out of the car you already own, and the idea that you're wasting time and should really just get a generator or fixed battery is incorrect.