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UK Kia owner discovers 80 kWh EV battery cannot reliably power home appliances via charging port adapter

By Eve

A Kia owner in the UK explored using their vehicle's 80 kWh battery to power home appliances during outages via a £130 adapter that plugs into the charging port and provides a standard 13 amp socket. Reddit commenters warned that a kettle alone draws 13 amps, preventing simultaneous use of other devices, and that gas boilers may not function safely with a floating earth from a vehicle. The discussion highlighted limitations of vehicle to load adapters compared to dedicated home battery storage systems.

Why it matters

The case illustrates practical constraints of using EVs as emergency power sources without proper vehicle to home infrastructure, relevant as CPOs and installers field questions about bidirectional charging capabilities. It underscores demand for purpose built backup solutions rather than improvised charging port accessories in residential settings.

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Original title
“In the UK, a Kia owner thought an 80-kWh EV could power a home, but the kettle changed that”
Published
23 October 2026
Updated
26 October 2026

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