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During the blackout that paralyzed Spain, electric vehicles with bidirectional technology helped families keep lights on and appliances running for days.
The blackout that affected Portugal and Spain occurred on April 28. It was one of the largest in recent European history, also impacting parts of southern France and Andorra. Because of this, many Europeans turned to electric cars to get around the power outage.
The chaotic situation caught the population off guard. But, amidst the confusion, one group stood out: electric car owners.
These vehicles, in addition to moving without fossil fuels, showed another surprising advantage.
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Many of them feature a technology called bidirectional charging, which allows them to not only receive energy from the electrical grid, but also supply it.
In other words, they become a mobile battery, capable of powering an entire house.
Technology that became an ally in the dark
This system is known as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). Not all models have this function, but those that do can become a kind of domestic generator.
Even without a full charge, they managed to keep the house running for days.
According to data from Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, the average capacity of an electric car battery today is 71 kWh.
If a car were only 60% charged, or about 42 kWh, it could still power a home for five days.
This is because the average daily consumption of a home in the country is around 9 kWh.
And, as is often the case in emergencies, people tend to conserve energy. This further increases the range of electric vehicles when used in this way.
Energy, economy and resilience
Colin Walker, Director of Transportation at Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, explained the impact of technology.
According to him, electric cars not only serve to reduce emissions and save money on fuel. They also increase energy security in homes.
Walker noted that more and more vehicles are coming onto the market with the ability to return power to homes. And, as seen in the blackouts in Spain and Portugal, this can keep refrigerators running, lights on and even routers running for days.
Furthermore, technology allows for another benefit in normal times: savings.
The car can be charged during the early morning hours, when energy is cheaper, and then return part of that charge to the grid during peak hours, when electricity costs more. This generates profit for the car owner.
Few models, but growing
Despite the advantages, the number of cars with this function is still limited. Not all electric vehicles on sale have the system. However, this is changing.
It is worth remembering that not all of them work exactly the same way. Some have the V2H function, to power the entire house. Others offer the V2L function, which allows you to charge only specific devices, such as household appliances.
In cases like the recent blackout, both solutions are useful. They ensure the minimum necessary for the functioning of basic everyday items.
Practical example: microwave in the car
On social media, several reports emerged of how drivers used their electric cars to get through the days of blackout.
In some videos, electric vehicle owners appear using the microwave directly in the car.
A trend that should grow
The expectation is that, over time, more models will adopt this technology as standard. After all, it transforms the car into a true “power bank” on wheels.
A portable power source that can keep your home running or charge devices wherever you need them.
This practicality goes beyond blackouts. In everyday situations, it is also useful. A clear example is the Ford F-150 Lightning.
Designed for heavy work, it comes with sockets in the bucket, where you can connect tools, such as electric saws, directly to the vehicle.
The electricity crisis in Spain has revealed a new facet of electric cars. More than just a sustainable means of transport, they have proven to be a practical solution in emergencies.
V2G technology, once seen as a futuristic extra, has shown its value when the country needed alternatives. And now, it could be the key to ensuring greater safety, savings and autonomy for consumers.
It really seems like something from another world to me, but I liked what I read.
Isn't there a risk of overloading and causing a fire?
How do you expect anyone to read with so many commercials?