Severe flooding in China’s Guangxi region after Typhoon Mesaak has left many residents without electricity. Amid widespread outages, owners of new-energy vehicles (NEVs) are stepping in to help, using vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology to power essential devices for their communities.
NEVs Become Lifelines in Flooded Guangxi
With power outages disrupting daily life and rescue efforts, NEV owners in Guangxi have turned their vehicles into makeshift power stations. According to Southern Metropolis Daily, residents have been able to charge their phones and other devices by plugging into NEVs equipped with V2L technology.
A widely shared video shows people crowding around a Geely EX2 (also known as the Xingyuan in China) to access electricity. BYD owners have also formed volunteer convoys to deliver supplies to those affected by the floods.
How Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) Technology Works
Modern EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and extended-range EVs (EREVs) typically use bi-directional on-board chargers (OBC). These chargers can convert alternating current (AC) from the grid to direct current (DC) for the battery, and also convert DC back to AC for external use.
This capability allows NEVs to act as inverters, providing AC plug power at the charge port—a feature known as vehicle-to-load (V2L). Some PHEVs and EREVs even offer a ‘camping mode’ that enables owners to generate electricity for V2L while parked.
Real-World Impact and Technical Limits
During the Guangxi floods, NEVs have been able to charge phones for 20 to 30 people at a time by daisy-chaining extension cords, though this method carries some risk. Similar scenes were reported during heavy flooding in Henan province in 2021.
Most NEVs in China are limited to 6.6 kW of AC charging and V2L power, while entry-level models like the Geely EX2 and BYD’s more affordable DM-i variants offer up to 3.3 kW. A notable exception is Geely’s Riddara RD6 pickup truck. Specialising in China’s drone-based ‘low-altitude economy’, Geely says the RD6 offers up to 36 kW of three-phase AC V2L ‘VTOL’ power.
NEV Adoption and Future Emergency Response
China EV DataTracker reports that in June 2026, 62.9% of all new cars sold in China were NEVs. As NEVs become more common, access to V2L technology is expanding, providing more communities with emergency power options during crises like the Guangxi floods.
Why this matters
The use of NEVs as emergency power sources during natural disasters highlights the practical benefits of V2L technology beyond daily driving. As NEV adoption grows, more people will have access to backup electricity in times of need, potentially improving community resilience during power outages.
What this means for buyers
For consumers in regions prone to extreme weather, choosing an NEV with V2L capability can offer peace of mind and practical support during emergencies. Buyers should consider the V2L power output of different models and look for features like ‘camping mode’ if emergency power is a priority.
Key Specs
- NEV Market Share (June 2026): 62.9% of new car sales in China
- Typical V2L Power Output: Up to 6.6 kW (most NEVs); 3.3 kW (entry-level)
- Geely Riddara RD6 V2L Output: Up to 36 kW three-phase AC
- Devices Supported During Outages: 20 to 30 phones per NEV (via extension cords)
Source
Images sourced from: saabplanet.com
