Power Outages and Electric Vehicles: How to Prepare for Blackouts

When you have an electric vehicle (EV), ensuring you have a reliable power source during a prolonged blackout becomes a crucial concern. While the answer can be somewhat nuanced, it's essential to understand the probabilities and strategies to mitigate risks. This article delves into the details of how public chargers and your own home charging systems could fare during a power outage.

Public Chargers: The Unknowns

Public chargers, such as those found at fast-charging stations, can sometimes remain operational during a power outage, depending on the infrastructure in place. Municipalities often have an older power grid that may not be as resilient to outages. However, newer builds will typically have better infrastructure, but also are not always available everywhere. For example:

Hospitals and other critical facilities are prioritized for new and reliable power sources.

Large infrastructure projects, such as EV chargers, might face delays in installation if the necessary new infrastructure isn't built out yet.

In some rare cases, short-term outages can occur without affecting newer, more robust systems.

For instance, a few years ago, PGE in California shut off power to large areas for several days. Despite this, Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America chargers remained operational in certain regions. This suggests that while public chargers might stay up, they are dependent on the local infrastructure and can be significantly impacted by regional dynamics.

Rare Cases and Extreme Situations

There have been instances, though extremely rare, where public chargers have stood out during blackouts. Such scenarios have mostly been associated with:

Critical facilities like hospitals with priority power supply.

Specific charger models that integrate solar panels and battery storage to reduce peak demand.

Riverside places like Rivian's plans to install many fast chargers in areas off the main grid to promote their 'adventure EV' brand.

However, these cases are not common and are likely to remain so until battery technology and integration become more widespread and cost-effective.

Home Charging: A Reliable Backup

For the majority of EV owners, home charging is typically the most dependable method during a power outage. Home systems can be complemented by backup generators to ensure you have power when you need it. This setup offers several advantages:

Generator with a transfer switch: Ensures only essential electrical systems are running when the generator is on.

Air-source heat pump: Requires less energy compared to electric heaters, making it a more energy-efficient option.

Standing water pump: Operates with minimal input, ensuring water supply continuity.

Septic system: Ensures it won't back up during a power outage, maintaining safety and hygiene.

For those heavily reliant on EVs, it's crucial to have a backup generator and a transfer switch. This setup enables you to run critical systems, charge your car, and still have access to essential services. It's particularly useful if you live in an area prone to prolonged outages, such as rural or susceptible regions.

Alternative Charging Solutions: Low-Voltage Chargers

For those who live far from town, low-voltage chargers can be a lifesaver during outages. These chargers, while slower, provide a reliable backup solution for short-term needs:

Drive to town periodically: Use the low-voltage charger to get a charge and run your daily services.

Shopping list management: Avoid running out of essentials by making comprehensive shopping lists.

Multiple trips: With careful planning, you can make multiple trips in a week without needing to charge as frequently.

While low-voltage chargers are not as efficient as their 240V counterparts, they provide peace of mind and flexibility. With a bit of planning, you can ensure you're never without power, whether at home or on the road.

Ultimately, the key to managing an electric vehicle during a power outage is to have a multifaceted approach. Combining reliable home charging with generator backup and strategic low-voltage chargers can turn a potential disaster into a manageable situation. By staying informed and prepared, EV owners can enjoy the benefits of a green vehicle while safeguarding themselves against unforeseen circumstances.