Which Electric Cars Have Bidirectional Charging (V2L, V2G, V2H)?

When an EV is being charged, alternating current (AC) electricity from the grid is converted to direct current (DC) so it can be used by the car battery. This is done by a ‘convertor’ which is located in the car or in the charger. This is unidirectional charging, where energy flows one way from the grid to the car.

Bidirectional EV charging is essentially ‘charging’ that occurs two ways (back and forth). Energy will flow from the grid to the car or it can be sent back to the grid or power other devices.

Like a portable power bank used to charge your personal electronic devices, your car can be used in the same way. In the case of EVs, the ‘devices’ are much larger – they could be a barbeque, your house or the electricity grid.

Bidirectional charging is the ‘umbrella’ term that covers several different use cases, with the most common being – V2G, V2H and V2L.

The MG ZS EV is a five-seater electric small SUV. Priced from $44,990 drive-away, it is currently the cheapest electric car available in Australia.

The ZS EV features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's charging port located at the front. It can support a maximum load of 2.2 kW.

The BYD Atto 3 is a five-seater electric small SUV made in China. Priced from around $44,381 before on-road costs, it has up to 420km of claimed driving range, two battery pack sizes, and is front-wheel drive.

The BYD Atto 3 features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's external charging port on the front-right side of the car. The car can support a maximum load of 3.6 kW, however, we understand the rated maximum load of the adapter that comes with it is 2.2 kW.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in South Korea. Priced from $69,900 before on-road costs.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via a powerpoint located below the second-row seats or externally via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.

Kia Niro EV

The Kia Niro EV is a five-seater electric small SUV made in South Korea. Priced from $65,300 before on-road costs.

The Kia Niro EV provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. All models have an interior V2L plug underneath the rear seats, while only the hero GT-Line is capable of exterior V2L using an adapter at its front-mounted charging port.

Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in South Korea. Priced from $72,590 before on-road costs.

The Kia EV6 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via a powerpoint located below the second-row seats or externally via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.

V2L adapter that comes standard with all electric Genesis cars

Genesis GV60

The Genesis GV60 is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in South Korea. Priced from $103,700 before on-road costs.

The Genesis GV60 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via a powerpoint located below the second-row seats or externally via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.

Genesis Electrified GV70

The Genesis Electrified GV70 is a five-seater electric medium SUV made in South Korea. Priced from $127,800 before on-road costs.

The Genesis GV70 provides V2L functionality capable of supporting devices and appliances with a maximum load of 3.6 kW. Devices can be connected internally via powerpoint in the boot or externally via an adapter that connects to the car's charge port on the right-hand side.

Genesis Electrified G80

The Genesis Electrified G80 is an all-electric large luxury sedan, with one high-spec variant offered in Australia starting from $145,000 before on-road costs.

The Genesis Electrified G80 features V2L functionality via an adapter that plugs into the car's external charging port on the front-right side of the car, supporting a maximum load of 3.6 kW. V2L is not possible internally unlike the GV60 and GV70.

The Nissan Leaf is a five-seater electric small hatchback made in the United Kingdom. Priced from $50,990 before on-road costs.

The Nissan Lead features bidirectional charging via V2H (Vehicle to Home) and V2G (Vehicle to Grid) capable of an output of up to 7 kW. This functionality is only possible through a bidirectional charger such as the Wallbox Quasar. Connected to the bidirectional charger, the Nissan Leaf can be charged and discharged similarly to a home battery. Outside of several trials being conducted around the country, V2H/V2G has not been approved for wide-scale use by most energy networks.

The Nissan Leaf is the only V2H and V2G compatible cars available for sale. Unlike the rest of the cars on this list, it does not feature V2L.