EV general discussion

really Pee-ed off with mercedes EV policy of not confirming/ruling out V2L compatibility.

I'd looked around and test driven the new electric GLC and decided it was the best fit for me. Yes the iX3 has better range, but for me, I felt the more comfortable, relaxed ride of the GLC, when spec-ed with air suspension, best suited what I was looking for in a car. I also don't like the internal layout of the iX3, and not overly keen on the minimalist approach taken on the EX60.

Merc has been promoting its bi-directional charging stuff for the latest generation of EVs. However I could find NOTHING online to indicate if they supported V2L. We've had a couple of significant power outages in the 4 years I've had my KIA EV6, and having access to a 70Kwh battery on the driveway proved really useful, was able to get the key stuff working, you know, the broadband, TV and a few lights.

I asked the dealer and he had a non-committal answer, said Merc had not ruled it out.

I sent a query to merc customer care, who passed it onto merc technical. They initially came back with

At present, bidirectional charging functionality is not available on the fully electric GLC and cannot currently be used. This includes Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) applications.

Our Technical Team has advised that bidirectional charging functionality is planned to become available for the fully electric GLC during the second half of 2026. However, as the feature is not yet available, we are unable to provide confirmation of the final UK market specifications, operating requirements, or supported use cases at this time.

For further information regarding Mercedes-Benz Home Energy and bidirectional charging developments, you may find the following website helpful

https://home-intelligent.mercedes-benz.com/
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The linked webpage makes no mention of V2L, only V2H and V2G. Doing some more research online, and I saw some remarks that stated merc only support be-directional charging using a compatible DC charger, i.e. your home charger had to do the DC to AC conversion.

So I followed up this asking technical if this was the case and if so, then V2L wasn't possible as the car did not have a DC to AC converter.

Got this back from them.

....This technology has the potential to provide customers with greater flexibility, energy independence, and possible cost savings in the future. As part of this development, Mercedes-Benz is currently evaluating real-world applications such as:
  • Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), where the vehicle can supply energy to a home
  • Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), where energy can be returned to the public electricity grid
  • Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), where the vehicle can power external electrical devices.

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the new all-electric CLA with EQ Technology and GLC with EQ Technology are technically prepared for bidirectional charging when used with a compatible DC wallbox. The company also plans to introduce its first bidirectional charging services in Germany, France, and the UK during 2026, with additional markets expected to follow.

However, it is important to note that the currently announced MB.CHARGE Home Pro Intelligent service is focused specifically on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality. At present, Mercedes-Benz has not officially confirmed the availability of Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality across all production vehicles or in all markets. As such, we are unable to confirm V2L availability for your vehicle at this time.
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This would seem to confirm what I've read. Actually merc has not confirmed ANY V2L functionality for ANY of its cars in the UK. So unless they design a plug-in V2L adapter that has built in DC-AC conversion, it looks like none of the mercs can ever do V2L. THe fact that merc technical can't confirm to me that the car is prepared for V2L is telling.

Of all the latest gen EVs released, mercs are the only one that do not have announced support for V2L. The volvo EX60 has it, the BMW iX3 has it, all genesis/Kia/Hyundai have it, as does MG IM5/6. It seems merc is making some really WEIRD decision on its EVs, when you consider that the CLA EV does not natively supported 400V charging (extra £900) and although the GLC does support 400V, it maxes out at 100W AND 400V chargers will NEVER show up on their sat nav.

Annoyed, I am.
 
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tangey said:
Annoyed, I am.
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I think you just assume it doesn't have it and make your decision on that basis. If you end up going for the GLC then it's a nice bonus if it comes.

Can't speak to your power situation but a small 1-2kWh home power bank for emergencies should cover you and then you can just buy the best car for your situation rather than choosing a massive car decision around its ability as an emergency backup?
 
chanjy said:
I think you just assume it doesn't have it and make your decision on that basis. If you end up going for the GLC then it's a nice bonus if it comes.

Can't speak to your power situation but a small 1-2kWh home power bank for emergencies should cover you and then you can just buy the best car for your situation rather than choosing a massive car decision around its ability as an emergency backup?
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That is the most sensible approach. Buy based on the now, not what might be later on.
 
lordrobs said:
That is the most sensible approach. Buy based on the now, not what might be later on.
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Yeah, I've concluded that Merc isn't doing V2L.

We had 2 power outtages in the 4 years I've had the EV6. One was over 24hrs during the winter. Being able to effectively run a subset of the house over all that time was a godsend.

I'll have my next car for likely 4 years+ too. So likely there will be another significant storm or two to take the power out for an extended period. I know it would drive me mad to have a 90KWh battery sitting on the other side of the lounge window, and not able to access that power. KIA was way ahead of the curve with that EV6 in so many ways, Range, 800V system, full suite of assistance, V2L, all over 5 years ago.

So at this point, I'm having to rule out all mercedes. Weird decision making by them. One assumes that a significant group of EV buyers are tech savvy and into maximising their car usage, and merc is missing out on a prime utility on this GLC Sports Utility Vehicle. Even just going camping or a day away and being able to operate appliances.

Likely I'll go with the Volvo XE60. Would prefer the big battery P12, but the wait time for that is over a year.
 
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MOOGLEYS said:
I use the car to mow the front grass saves getting the extension out. Lol
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That's a good idea, wish i'd thought of it before adding my 3rd EV to the household.... Just ordered a Mammotion Luba Mini 2 AWD, though this will certainly make it easier to get the back garden cut in the new house....
 
tangey said:
We had 2 power outtages in the 4 years I've had the EV6. One was over 24hrs during the winter. Being able to effectively run a subset of the house over all that time was a godsend.
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I agree and I'd want my next EV to specifically have V2L or at least V2H. We've had 3 power cuts in the previous 12 months and the last one lasted for 6 days. Being able to run all the critical stuff like the heating/hot water, fridge, freezer, internet and lighting from the Seal over that period made me (more like the car!) the family hero :D. We didn't have to go to a hotel or get our food from the nearest support, we just fended for ourselves. The cheque for £350 for the outage was a bonus too :).

I don't blame you discounting a car because it's missing feature that you feel is required.
 
jpaul said:
when V2g bidir chargers are available/leasable at a sensible cost, they say they will support V2H too,
to control the A/C frequency themselves for an isolated from grid house ,
-> best of both worlds https://wallbox.com/en_uk/quasar-2-bidirectional-ev-charger
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My limited understanding of the bit I read is that V2H demands that the car does NOT supply the house when there is no incoming mains supply. It is not designed to power the home completely just as a supplement. that could be totally wrong of course cause it sounds wrong to me.
 
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Hyundai making the situation unnecessarily difficult by saying they don’t agree to the rejection as they’re minor faults :rolleyes:



I’ve tried to be super nice about it and just say that I’m tired of fighting a battle just to get the car, and now it’s faulty so I’m rejecting it, but will have to pull the “ackchyually” card out.
 
MrRockliffe said:
Hyundai making the situation unnecessarily difficult by saying they don’t agree to the rejection as they’re minor faults :rolleyes:



I’ve tried to be super nice about it and just say that I’m tired of fighting a battle just to get the car, and now it’s faulty so I’m rejecting it, but will have to pull the “ackchyually” card out.
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I seen that coming.
 
tangey said:
Yeah, I've concluded that Merc isn't doing V2L.

We had 2 power outtages in the 4 years I've had the EV6. One was over 24hrs during the winter. Being able to effectively run a subset of the house over all that time was a godsend.
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Here what I said to someone else I know, same applies if you change your car semi-regularly.

For once in your life just spend less on the car you are going to have for next next XYZ period of time, buy something considerably cheaper and spend the difference on a good solar and battery setup with a gateway/off-grid mode. Invest in your home.
 
Mysterae_ said:
I agree and I'd want my next EV to specifically have V2L or at least V2H. We've had 3 power cuts in the previous 12 months and the last one lasted for 6 days. Being able to run all the critical stuff like the heating/hot water, fridge, freezer, internet and lighting from the Seal over that period made me (more like the car!) the family hero :D. We didn't have to go to a hotel or get our food from the nearest support, we just fended for ourselves. The cheque for £350 for the outage was a bonus too :).

I don't blame you discounting a car because it's missing feature that you feel is required.
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As others have hinted at, V2H will not power your house in a powercut. At best you can use V2L on an extension lead through a window.

For this to take place you need an automatic or manual change over switch to physically isolate you from the grid.

As @200sols said, get a proper solar and battery setup which will do that job.
 
MrRockliffe said:
Same! Hence why I cancelled my direct debit.


Not sure why the garage is even fighting it as it isn’t their car - it’s the finance company’s.
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They're fighting for that sweet sweet commish.

I also wouldn't be surprised if they're already walking the plank with that finance company and this could be the final nail for them, potentially losing a decent chunk of their income.

If I was the financier I'd also be questioning their business practices tbh.
 
Diddums said:
They're fighting for that sweet sweet commish.

I also wouldn't be surprised if they're already walking the plank with that finance company and this could be the final nail for them, potentially losing a decent chunk of their income.

If I was the financier I'd also be questioning their business practices tbh.
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The financier is Hyundai so :P

Difference being Hyundai the company and a franchised dealership.
 
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