V2H Readiness Check: Is Your Home Vehicle-to-Home Ready?
Can your EV power your house? Take our free V2H readiness check to see if your vehicle, panel, and home qualify for vehicle-to-home backup power today.
Can your EV power your house? Take the V2H readiness check
This V2H readiness check tells you whether your electric vehicle can double as a home backup battery — a technology called vehicle-to-home (V2H). A capable EV holds 60 to 130+ kWh of energy, several times what a typical wall-mounted home battery stores, which makes it one of the most exciting developments in residential backup power. But not every EV supports it, and the hardware, permits, and utility approvals are very different from a standard charger install.
How the check works
Tell us your EV model, your home's electrical panel size, and how much outages concern you. We cross-reference known bidirectional-capable models — including the F-150 Lightning, Silverado EV, Sierra EV, EV9, and Ioniq 5 — and flag the panel and hardware requirements that apply to your situation. Because capability varies by model year and firmware, we always recommend verifying with the manufacturer before purchasing the $4,000 to $7,000 bidirectional charger hardware. A licensed electrician and utility interconnection approval are required in nearly all cases.
Frequently asked questions
V2H lets a bidirectional-capable EV send power back into your home during an outage, effectively turning the car's large battery into a backup generator. A typical capable EV stores 60 to 130+ kWh — several days of critical-loads backup for many homes. It requires a special bidirectional charger, not a standard Level 2 unit.
Confirmed capable models include the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Kia EV9, and Hyundai Ioniq 5, though capability can vary by trim and model year. Many popular EVs — including most Teslas as of 2026 — do not support V2H. Always verify with the manufacturer for your specific vehicle.
The bidirectional charger itself typically costs $4,000 to $7,000 for hardware alone, plus electrician labor for a transfer switch or critical-loads panel, permits, and inspection. Total installed costs often land between $6,000 and $12,000 — comparable to a small stationary battery system, but with far more storage once installed.
In nearly all US and Canadian jurisdictions, yes. Exporting power to your home's wiring requires an interconnection agreement and inspection, similar to a solar or battery installation. Your electrician typically handles the application, but approval timelines vary by utility — ask early.
For many households, mostly — with one catch: the backup only works when the EV is parked at home and sufficiently charged. If outages strike while you are commuting, a small stationary battery covering critical loads fills the gap. High outage-concern households often pair both.