A V2L adapter (short for Vehicle-to-Load) lets you plug standard UK appliances directly into your EV’s charging inlet and run them from the traction battery. Think camping kettles, power tools on a building site, or emergency home devices during a power cut. The adapter itself is a compact plug that fits into the Type 2 socket your car already has, converting that inlet into one or more standard UK 3-pin sockets. Not every EV supports it. If yours does, it is one of the most useful accessories you can own.
What is a V2L adapter and how does it work?
V2L stands for Vehicle-to-Load. It is a feature built into the onboard charger of certain electric vehicles that allows the traction battery to discharge power outward as AC electricity, rather than just receive it.
A V2L adapter plugs into your EV’s Type 2 charging inlet and converts that inlet into one or more standard UK 3-pin (BS 1363) sockets. Power flows from the car’s traction battery outward, letting you run appliances directly from your EV without a separate generator or power station.
The key phrase is “built into the onboard charger.” V2L is a hardware capability. The car either has the circuitry or it does not. No software update or third-party device can retrofit V2L to a car that was not designed with it.
- Step 1: EV Traction Battery, labelled Traction Battery (e.g. 77 kWh)
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- Step 2: Onboard Charger / V2L System, labelled Onboard Charger\n(V2L hardware required)
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- Step 3: Type 2 Charging Inlet, labelled Type 2 Inlet\n(IEC 62196-2)
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- Step 4: V2L Adapter, labelled V2L Adapter\n(plugs into inlet)
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- Step 5: UK BS 1363 Sockets, labelled UK 3-pin Sockets\n(1-3 outlets; total ~3.6 kW shared)
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- Step 6: Appliance / Load, labelled Appliance\n(kettle, drill, phone charger...)
- Below diagram note: Power flows OUT of the battery. Charging (AC in) and V2L (AC out) cannot operate simultaneously on most cars. V2L auto-cuts off at ~10-20% SOC.
Type 2 inlet to UK 3-pin socket: the conversion explained
The Type 2 inlet (IEC 62196-2) is designed to receive AC charging current, but a V2L adapter reverses that role: it plugs into the inlet using the same mechanical interface and routes current outward into UK BS 1363 3-pin sockets on the adapter face.
Most UK adapters feature one, two, or three 3-pin sockets. Regardless of socket count, total output is capped by the car’s V2L system, typically 3.6 kW on E-GMP vehicles. Three sockets means you can split that budget across devices, not multiply it.
Which cars support V2L in the UK?
V2L is a hardware feature baked into the onboard charger. No software update can add it to a car that lacks the hardware. In the UK, confirmed V2L-capable cars include the Kia EV6 and EV9, Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and IONIQ 9, Genesis GV60 and GV70e, MG4 and MG5 (select variants), and BYD Atto 3 and BYD Seal. Tesla, Volkswagen ID, and BMW i-series do not currently support V2L.
- Headers: Car | V2L Output (kW) | Adapter Socket Type | Lock Feature | Notes
- Rows:
- Kia EV6 | ~3.6 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | E-GMP platform; external adapter required
- Kia EV9 | ~3.6 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | E-GMP platform; external adapter required
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 | ~3.6 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | E-GMP; some trim levels include adapter in box
- Hyundai IONIQ 6 | ~3.6 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | E-GMP platform; external adapter
- Hyundai IONIQ 9 | ~3.6 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | E-GMP platform; check current spec sheet
- Genesis GV60 | ~3.6 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | E-GMP platform
- Genesis GV70e | ~3.6 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | E-GMP platform
- MG4 | Up to 3.3 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | Check variant and model year, per MG Motor UK spec sheet
- MG5 | Up to 3.3 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | Check variant and model year, per MG Motor UK spec sheet
- BYD Atto 3 | Up to 3.3 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | Per BYD UK product specification
- BYD Seal | Up to 3.3 kW | UK BS 1363 3-pin | Varies by adapter | Per BYD UK product specification
E-GMP platform cars (Hyundai / Kia / Genesis)
The broadest V2L support in the UK comes from Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform). According to Manufacturer onboard-charger spec sheets per car for each of these models, the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, IONIQ 9, EV6, EV9, GV60, and GV70e all support external V2L at up to approximately 3.6 kW via the Type 2 inlet adapter.
If you drive one of these cars, see our Kia EV6 and EV9 charging cable guide and our IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and IONIQ 9 charging cable guide for the full picture on compatible charging hardware.
MG, BYD and others
MG4 and MG5 owners should verify V2L support against their specific variant and model year. Output figures are confirmed in the MG Motor UK MG4 product specification and vary between trims. BYD Atto 3 and BYD Seal both support V2L per the BYD UK product specification for each model. For MG-specific cable options alongside your V2L adapter, see our MG4 and MG5 charging cable guide.
Some Fisker Ocean models also list V2L capability, though availability in UK specifications should be confirmed with the manufacturer.
Cars that do NOT support V2L
The following cars do not support V2L and will not output power through any adapter: all current Tesla models (Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X), Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7, BMW i3, i4, i5, and iX, Renault Zoe, Peugeot e-208, and Vauxhall Mokka-e. This is not a software limitation: the onboard charger hardware in these vehicles simply does not support bidirectional AC output through the Type 2 inlet.
How much power can you actually draw?
On E-GMP platform cars, including the Kia EV6, Kia EV9, Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and IONIQ 9, the V2L system outputs up to approximately 3.6 kW (16 A) via the external Type 2 adapter. That figure is the car’s total V2L budget; if your adapter has two or three sockets, you share that 3.6 kW across all of them.
This is confirmed in Manufacturer onboard-charger spec sheets per car for each E-GMP model. MG and BYD models typically cap at up to 3.3 kW depending on variant. Always check the specific model’s documentation before connecting high-draw appliances.
3.6 kW is a meaningful amount of power. For context: a typical camping kettle draws around 1.8-2.4 kW; a medium power drill 700-1,200 W; a mini fridge 80-150 W. You can run several smaller devices simultaneously, or one higher-draw appliance, within that envelope.
What can you run from a V2L adapter?
At 3.6 kW continuous output, a V2L adapter covers a wide range of real-world scenarios. From our experience at EV Cable Hub, customers ask most often about three categories of use.
Camping and outdoor use
A V2L-equipped car is a capable campsite power station. Kettles, travel coffee machines, portable induction hobs, electric cool boxes, CPAP machines, phone and laptop charging are all well within the 3.6 kW ceiling. A large battery (e.g. 77 kWh) at 80% state of charge holds substantial usable energy; even a sustained mixed load will run for many hours before the system’s safety cutoff activates.
Power tools on site
Tradespeople and DIYers have found V2L useful on sites without mains access. A circular saw, angle grinder, or site lamp all fall within the 3.6 kW budget. The lock feature (discussed below) matters here: on an active site, you do not want the adapter pulled out mid-cut.
Emergency home power, and why V2G is different
During a mains power cut, a V2L adapter can run essential household loads through standard UK sockets (fridge, lighting, router, device charging) as a short-term emergency supply from your car’s battery.
V2L is not the same as V2G. V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) powers individual appliances via the adapter; V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) exports electricity back into the mains grid, requiring a bidirectional home charger and energy tariff. V2G is a separate technology not yet mainstream in UK homes, and a V2L adapter does not provide V2G capability.
Security and the lock feature: using V2L unattended
A V2L adapter inserted into the charging inlet can, in principle, be physically removed by anyone who walks past. Some adapters include a locking mechanism that prevents removal while the system is energised, an important consideration if you plan to leave the adapter running unattended at a campsite or on a job site.
When shopping for a V2L adapter, check whether it includes a physical lock and how that lock operates. Some models use a cable lock loop; others have an integrated latching mechanism. If you plan to use V2L unattended overnight or in a public space, a locking adapter is worth the small additional cost.
Even with a locking adapter, use common sense: the car remains the power source, and you should ensure the cable run between the adapter and your appliances is tidy and protected from trip hazards or weather ingress.
Can you charge the car and use V2L at the same time?
On most V2L-capable cars, you cannot charge the battery and use V2L simultaneously. The Type 2 inlet handles one direction of power flow at a time. Most cars will also automatically cut off V2L output when the battery drops to around 10-20% state of charge, depending on the model, as confirmed in the relevant Manufacturer onboard-charger spec sheets per car.
This means you need to plan your V2L use around the battery’s state of charge. For extended campsite use, the practical workflow is: arrive with a full or near-full charge, use V2L for your evening and morning loads, then move to a charge point when the battery is at 30-40% to maintain comfortable margin above the SOC cutoff.
The car also typically needs to be switched on or in an accessory/ready mode for V2L to operate. Refer to your owner’s manual for the specific activation sequence, which varies between manufacturers.
How to choose and use a V2L adapter safely
A few practical points when selecting a V2L adapter:
Confirm compatibility first. Cross-reference your car’s model, trim, and model year against the Manufacturer onboard-charger spec sheets per car to confirm V2L is present. Not all variants of a given model support it.
Match the adapter’s rated current. For E-GMP cars, choose an adapter rated to at least 16 A / 3.6 kW. An under-rated adapter risks overheating.
Count the sockets you need. A single-socket adapter is simplest for one high-draw appliance; a two- or three-socket adapter suits mixed loads, but total output remains capped at the car’s V2L maximum regardless.
Consider the lock feature if you plan to run V2L unattended or in a public location.
Stay within the rated output. The battery management system protects itself, but consistently running close to maximum generates heat in the adapter and inlet.
Frequently asked questions
Does my car come with a V2L adapter in the box?
Some manufacturers include a V2L adapter with certain trim levels, notably some Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 specifications. Others treat it as an optional accessory. Check your vehicle’s delivery documentation; if it was not included, you will need to purchase one separately.
Will a V2L adapter work with any Type 2 socket EV?
No. The adapter connects mechanically, but V2L only operates if the onboard charger has bidirectional hardware. Cars without it will not output power through any adapter, and that includes all current Teslas, the Volkswagen ID range, BMW i4/iX/i5, and Renault Zoe.
How long can I run a 3.6 kW load from my EV battery?
It depends on usable battery capacity and your actual load. A 77 kWh battery at 80% state of charge gives roughly 61 kWh of usable energy; at a constant 3.6 kW draw, that is around 17 hours, though real-world figures vary with temperature and conversion losses, and V2L cuts off at around 10-20% SOC.
Can a V2L adapter power my whole house during a power cut?
A single V2L adapter outputs up to ~3.6 kW through standard UK sockets, enough for essential loads (lighting, fridge, router, device charging) but not a whole-house supply. Bidirectional whole-home power export is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), a separate technology requiring specialist chargers and energy tariffs, and not yet mainstream in UK homes.
Is using V2L safe for the car’s battery?
Yes, within designed parameters. The battery management system monitors cell state and temperature and cuts output automatically at a low SOC threshold, typically 10-20% depending on model, per manufacturer onboard-charger spec sheets per car. Do not attempt to bypass this cutoff.
What happens if the adapter is removed while it is running?
Removing an energised adapter abruptly cuts the load. Most V2L systems handle this safely, but sudden disconnection can damage sensitive electronics. Switch V2L off via the car’s menu before disconnecting when possible, and use a locking adapter if unauthorised removal is a concern.
Can I use a V2L adapter when travelling in Europe?
Standard UK V2L adapters output UK BS 1363 sockets. You would need a travel adaptor for European Schuko or other socket types. The car’s V2L system operates at 230 V / 50 Hz, compatible across most of Europe.
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