What Is EV V2L Appliance Runtime?
V2L (Vehicle to Load) lets your EV supply power to external appliances from its battery. It is extremely useful when camping or during power outages. Runtime depends on battery level, appliance wattage, and inverter efficiency. This calculator gives you an instant estimate so you can plan power use confidently.
Formula
Runtime (hrs) = Battery (kWh) Γ Efficiency (%) Γ· Appliance Power (kW)
Inverter efficiency is typically 85β95%. The default is 90%. Lower it slightly for cold weather or an aging battery pack.
Common Appliance Wattages
Rice cooker ~1,200W, electric kettle ~1,500W, refrigerator ~150W, laptop ~50W, portable AC ~1,000W, microwave ~2,000W. Appliances exceeding V2L max output (usually 3.5 kW) cannot be powered.
FAQ
Yes, a portable unit (700β1,000W) works fine. Central AC exceeding V2L max output cannot be used. A 30 kWh battery powering a 1,000W AC gives about 27 hours of runtime.
Avoid draining to 0%βit shortens battery lifespan. Keep at least 20% remaining. Many EVs automatically cut V2L when the battery drops below a safety threshold.
Cold weather, battery aging, and running multiple appliances simultaneously all reduce usable energy. Budget a 20β30% safety margin when planning.