EV owners called to help Australians hit by natural disasters

As Australia faces the prospect of another long, hot summer and all the storms that come with it, one of the nation’s largest automotive service brands is calling on electric vehicle (EV) owners to offer help in times of need.

mycar – formerly Kmart Tyre and Auto – is launching a new trial which will see EVs be used as portable generators when blackouts occur.

Dubbed ‘The mycar Chargers’, those who sign up to the trial will be called on to drive their EVs to areas which are experiencing power outages and offer their car’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability to power household items.

100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.

Many EVs sold in Australia are V2L compatible, with external and/or internal power points allowing users to treat the vehicle’s battery as an onboard generator.

Depending on the vehicle, some EVs can supply between 2400W and 3600W of power, enough for a microwave, kettle, air fryer or even a large TV.

It’s worth noting this technology is different from the similarly named Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), signed off by the Australian Government within the past week, which allows EVs to power an entire house or send power back to the grid through approved chargers.

Those who sign up to The myCar Chargers will be led by a lead member and taken to where power is needed, working with local authorities on how and where they can best assist the community.

mycar’s trial is set to take place across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory from November 2024 to January 2025, with EV owners able to register here.

MORE: V2L: What is it and what are the benefits? MORE: BYD electric car powers child’s life-saving medical equipment during blackout – report