How to Use V2L with the Ioniq 5? A V2L / C2L Adapter Guide
One of the most talked-about yet least used features of electric vehicles is V2L (Vehicle-to-Load). In short: you can use your car's high-capacity battery just like a giant portable power station to run external electrical devices. In this guide, we explain what V2L is, how it works using the Hyundai Ioniq 5 as an example, and how to choose the right V2L/C2L adapter.
What is V2L?
V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) is the conversion of the energy in the electric car's drive battery into standard mains voltage (230V) to power external devices. In other words, the car stops being a consumer and turns into a power source. A refrigerator at a campsite, a drill on a worksite, a grill at a picnic, and even critical household devices during short power cuts can run on this energy.
How many kW does the Ioniq 5's V2L deliver?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 (E-GMP platform) offers V2L from two points: a 230V outlet inside the cabin, under the rear seats, and an output through a V2L adapter that plugs into the charging socket on the outside. In total, you can draw up to around 3.6 kW, enough to comfortably run a refrigerator, a few lights and small power tools at the same time. It can deliver power even when the ignition is off; the system protects itself once the battery drops below a certain level.
What does 3.6 kW mean in practice? It is close to the power a typical household outlet (Schuko, 16 A) can deliver: more than enough for camping, fieldwork and emergencies.
What does a V2L / C2L adapter do?
To use the car's external output, you need an adapter that plugs into the charging socket (Type 2 / CCS). This adapter converts the socket's output into a standard earthed outlet (Schuko), and you plug your device in directly. Bemis's V2L adapters do exactly this: with a robust enclosure, an earthed outlet and secure locking, they turn your car into a portable power source in the field.
- Plug into the charging socket: ready in seconds, no additional setup.
- Earthed standard outlet output: connect your devices directly.
- Portable: carry it in the trunk, get power anywhere.
- Compatible with the Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and other vehicles that support V2L.
Where is it used?
- Camping & caravans: refrigerator, lighting, coffee machine, phone/laptop charging.
- Fieldwork & worksites: power hand tools such as drills, grinders and small compressors.
- Emergencies: critical devices such as the refrigerator and modem during short power cuts.
- Events & picnics: sound system, grill, projector.
- In a pinch: powering another electric vehicle or device at low power.
5 tips for safe use
- Do not exceed the total power: keep the combined wattage of the devices you connect below the vehicle's V2L limit.
- Use an earthed outlet and keep the adapter dry; protect it from rain outdoors.
- Watch for sudden load surges with devices that draw high inrush current (compressors, motors).
- During long use, monitor the battery level; your vehicle automatically cuts the output at a certain threshold.
- Choose a quality, certified adapter. Cheap adapters carry a risk of overheating and safety hazards.
Which vehicles have V2L?
Among the models that popularized V2L are the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 (E-GMP). Togg, some MG and BYD models, and other new-generation electric vehicles also offer V2L at different power levels. Confirm your vehicle's V2L power and the required adapter type from the owner's manual; in most cases an adapter suited to the Type 2 socket is enough.
Explore the V2L / C2L adapter that suits your vehicle: Bemis, manufactured in-house, certified.
See V2L / C2L AdaptersFrequently Asked Questions
How many kW does the Ioniq 5's V2L deliver?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 (E-GMP platform) offers its V2L power from two points: a 230V outlet inside the cabin, under the rear seats, and an output through a V2L adapter that plugs into the charging socket on the outside. Across both, you can draw up to around 3.6 kW in total. This power comfortably runs a refrigerator, a few lights and small power tools at the same time. It can deliver power even when the ignition is off; the system protects itself by automatically cutting the output once the battery drops below a certain level. In practice, 3.6 kW is close to the power a typical household Schuko outlet (16 A) can deliver; it is more than enough for camping, fieldwork and emergencies.
What does a V2L adapter do?
A V2L adapter is the hardware that converts the output at the car's charging socket (Type 2 / CCS) into a standard earthed outlet (Schuko). You cannot use the car's external output directly; the adapter is needed in between. You plug the adapter into the charging socket, and it provides you with an earthed outlet; you connect your device directly to this outlet. It is ready in seconds, requires no additional setup, and can be carried in the trunk to get power anywhere. Bemis's V2L adapters, with their robust enclosure, earthed outlet output and secure locking, turn your car into a portable power source in the field; they are compatible with the Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and other vehicles that support V2L.
What is the difference between C2L and V2L?
The key difference is where the energy comes from. V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) takes energy from the car's drive battery: the car converts this energy into 230V mains voltage, and the V2L adapter turns that output into a standard earthed outlet; that is why the car must support V2L. C2L (Charger-to-Load), on the other hand, takes energy not from the car but from the Type 2 output of an AC charging station; the source is the charger on the wall and the grid behind it, so the car's V2L feature is not needed. Both ultimately give you a standard outlet; the difference is that V2L draws on your car's range, while C2L does not. When the Ioniq 5 is out in the field, V2L does the job; when it is next to a charging station, C2L does.
Which vehicles have V2L?
Among the models that popularized V2L are the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6; both use the E-GMP platform. In addition, Türkiye's car brand Togg, some MG and BYD models, and other new-generation electric vehicles also offer V2L at different power levels. Because the power value differs from vehicle to vehicle, it is important to confirm your own car's V2L power and the required adapter type from the owner's manual. In most cases an adapter suited to the Type 2 socket is enough and lets you turn your car into a portable power source. This means having a portable power source at hand while camping, doing fieldwork or in an emergency.
Where can I use electricity with the Ioniq 5's V2L?
Because the Ioniq 5's V2L turns your car into a portable power station, it comes in handy in many places. While camping and caravanning, you can run a refrigerator, lighting, a coffee machine and phone/laptop charging; in fieldwork and on worksites, hand tools such as drills, grinders and small compressors; during short power cuts, critical devices such as the refrigerator and modem; and at events and picnics, a sound system, a grill and a projector. You can even power another electric vehicle or device at low power. The only condition is that the combined wattage of the devices you connect stays below the vehicle's V2L limit. Keep the adapter dry and protect it from rain outdoors.
What should I watch out for to use V2L safely?
First, do not exceed the total power: keep the combined wattage of the devices you connect below the vehicle's V2L limit. Always use an earthed outlet and keep the adapter dry; protect it from rain outdoors. Watch for sudden load surges with devices that draw high inrush current, such as compressors or motors. During long use, monitor the battery level; your vehicle automatically cuts the output at a certain threshold to protect the battery. Finally, choose a quality, certified adapter, because cheap adapters carry a risk of overheating and safety hazards. With these five simple rules, you can use V2L safely while camping, doing fieldwork and in emergencies.
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