229

An electric vehicle owner has used her car’s emergency power system to run her 11-year-old son’s lifesaving dialysis machine and another has ridden to the rescue of his neighbours after devastating storms cut power in south-east Queensland.

When the power went down following storms and flash flooding on Christmas Day, many residents immediately felt the consequences: electric gates did not work, septic tanks began to fill, air conditioners could not run and fridges began to warm as a heatwave followed.

But some electric vehicle drivers whose cars are equipped with “vehicle to load” systems – a back-up power system that allows the car to act as an emergency generator or supply for devices such as lights, laptops, TVs and refrigerators – stepped in to help out and, in some cases, save lives.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Thorry84@feddit.nl 9 points 10 months ago

I have a gas powered car, it has a mains outlet in the back of the center console. As far as I know this isn't anything special or new. My car is a 2016 Chevy nothing special.

[-] reddig33@lemmy.world 15 points 10 months ago

The special part is there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and it’s about 1/3 of the energy costs.

Vehicle to grid chargers mean you can use your electric car as a house backup battery when the power goes out. Not all EVs support this yet, but it should become commonplace in the next two years.

[-] Lichtblitz@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Having a static battery in the house that gets additional cycles, isn't a big issue. Who cares if the capacity decreases by an additional 10 percent because of added cycles. Just get a battery that's 10 percent larger from the start or add additional cells when you feel like it. In a mobile form factor, 10 percent can be a big difference. You can't just scale up the battery when you feel like it and in the worst case scenario you would have to replace it. That's why I would always be very conservative with using a car battery that way.

[-] thallamabond@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

Those in car outlets are typically for small electronics. 2016 Tahoe for example is a 150 Watt max, while a typical fridge uses 300-800. So please don't depend on it for that.

this post was submitted on 31 Dec 2023
229 points (93.9% liked)

Uplifting News

11294 readers
75 users here now

Welcome to /c/UpliftingNews, a dedicated space where optimism and positivity converge to bring you the most heartening and inspiring stories from around the world. We strive to curate and share content that lights up your day, invigorates your spirit, and inspires you to spread positivity in your own way. This is a sanctuary for those seeking a break from the incessant negativity often found in today's news cycle. From acts of everyday kindness to large-scale philanthropic efforts, from individual achievements to community triumphs, we bring you news that gives hope, fosters empathy, and strengthens the belief in humanity's capacity for good.

Here in /c/UpliftingNews, we uphold the values of respect, empathy, and inclusivity, fostering a supportive and vibrant community. We encourage you to share your positive news, comment, engage in uplifting conversations, and find solace in the goodness that exists around us. We are more than a news-sharing platform; we are a community built on the power of positivity and the collective desire for a more hopeful world. Remember, your small acts of kindness can be someone else's big ray of hope. Be part of the positivity revolution; share, uplift, inspire!

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS