EV terms, in plain English
Vehicle-to-home (V2H)
Can help run your house through a special bidirectional charger on the wall — more like a home battery on wheels.
V2H can help run your house through a special bidirectional charger on the wall — more like a home battery on wheels. In Australia it’s still uncommon / early.
This is bigger than V2L (plugging in a kettle or fridge). You usually need compatible home equipment and a proper install — not just the car. Don’t assume your EV or switchboard can do it without checking this car and an installer.
Having V2L does not mean you get V2H. V2H is also not the same as V2G (exporting to the wider grid). V2L ≠ V2H ≠ V2G. And none of this is towing.
Power and backup
As with V2L, kW output limits how many household loads can run at once. A lower-powered system may cover essentials (refrigeration, lights, communications, selected power points) but not an oven, large air conditioner and water heater together. Available battery kWh, household demand and the reserve kept for driving decide how long the home can be supplied.
The usable output is limited by the weakest part of the system: the vehicle’s export limit, the bidirectional charger or inverter, the home connection, the installation design and any network or installer limit.
Supplying the home during a blackout needs equipment that can safely disconnect from the grid and operate in backup mode. A system that reduces grid use in normal operation does not automatically provide outage power.
A V2L adaptor and an extension lead are not a shortcut to V2H. Feeding electricity into household wiring requires approved bidirectional equipment, correct protection and changeover, a licensed electrician and compliance with network rules.
Good to know
- Needs a bidirectional charger + install; network/installer rules apply.
- Having V2L does not mean you get V2H.
- Not the same as V2G (exporting to the wider grid).
- Our catalogue does not currently flag V2H — we won’t invent it on cards.
V2H is uncommon for everyday Australian buyers right now. ShortlistEV’s catalogue does **not** currently flag V2H — we won’t invent it on cards. We explain the jargon so it doesn’t confuse you — not because you need V2H for a good shortlist.
Why it matters: Confirm continuous output, which circuits it can support, whether it works during an outage, and how much battery charge remains for driving. Do not assume an EV supports V2H simply because it has V2L.
Towing is a different topic — see Towing with an EV.
Ready to narrow it down? Tell us what matters and we’ll shortlist up to three EVs that fit.