During a recent severe storm, a resourceful British couple, Tina Griffin, 67, and John, 72, managed to power their home using their car battery when faced with a power outage. The couple, residents of Newquay, found themselves without electricity as the storm wreaked havoc in their area, causing their neighbors to evacuate. However, Tina and John took matters into their own hands to save their frozen food, keep their phones charged, and illuminate their home.
After receiving a phone alert warning about the impending storm, the couple realized the severity of the situation when branches began hitting their windows and garden plants went airborne. With all electricity abruptly cut off, Tina described the storm as fast-moving and frightening, prompting them to stay calm yet concerned.
To navigate through the darkness, the couple relied on headlights, candles, and rechargeable torches. Their phones eventually ran out of charge, leading them to a novel solution in the morning. They connected essential household items to their electric Renault 5 E-tech using its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, a solution Tina thought of on the spot.
Having fully charged the car the day before, Tina and John successfully utilized only 30% of the car’s battery to contact family and friends, operate a hairdryer, and power other appliances. The couple expressed gratitude for being able to avoid evacuating like their neighbor, who needed power.
Thanks to their newly purchased Renault, the couple managed to weather the storm until power was restored, feeling relieved and fortunate that their property remained undamaged. Tina praised the car’s efficiency, using only a small portion of the battery throughout the ordeal. Despite the challenging weather conditions, they were impressed by the car’s performance and expressed willingness to rely on it again in similar circumstances.
Overall, Tina and John felt lucky and grateful for their safety and the convenience provided by their innovative use of the car during the storm.