Power stations on wheels! Zero-emission cars can power our homes too

Should you fancy a relaxing getaway with a difference, a unique pop-up hotel sparks into life from this weekend — powered entirely by electric cars.

Korean car-giant Hyundai believes it has created the world’s first car-powered hotel. 

It is using a trio of its Ioniq 5 SUVs to provide electricity for rooms and other facilities at a specially set up glamping-style site in the Essex countryside.

Charging ahead

True, it’s a gimmick designed to show that electric cars don’t just have to take power from the National Grid, but that their batteries can also be a clever form of storage which can return power to the grid or domestic appliances.

For this car comes equipped with a so-called ‘vehicle to device’ function — also known as ‘vehicle to grid’ and ‘vehicle to home’ — which takes advantage of bi-directional or two-way charging.

Bi-directional chargers also allow users to store cheap off-peak or solar-generated electricity in a car’s battery and then feed it back to the grid or directly into a home during the hours when electricity costs most.

The Ioniq 5 can also help power kit and caravans for camping trips in the wilds. You plug one end of a special adapter into a slot in the grille. At the other end is a conventional socket into which you insert a domestic plug.

The bi-directional ability of the car’s EV power pack means it becomes your mobile power station from which to run external electrical appliances.

Hyundai is not alone in this. Its Korean sibling Kia now has two cars with this ability — the Niro EV and EV6 models. 

Nissan can do it with its Leaf, as can Volvo with its forthcoming EX90 and Ford with its electric F150 Lightning pick-up truck.

Hy-de-Hy: The Hyundai hotel uses a trio of its Ioniq 5 SUVs to provide electricity for rooms and other facilities at a specially set up glamping-style site in the Essex countryside

Keeping lights on

The knock-on effect of the war in Ukraine has led energy suppliers to warn of potential energy rationing this winter – with a rota of local zones around the country having their electricity cut off for about three hours per day. 

But if you own an electric car that can double as your own domestic power station, you may not have to worry.

Obviously, you won’t be able to charge it up when the power is off. But provided you’ve done so previously, and there’s still sufficient charge left in the vehicle’s battery, you’ll be able to use it to power your freezer to stop the contents from spoiling, use the microwave, or switch on standard lamps.

Tech and lifestyle magazine Wired noted recently: ‘In March 2011, the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan was damaged by an earthquake and tsunami, causing widespread power outages.

‘Car makers Nissan and Mitsubishi sent dozens of electric cars into the worst-hit areas to drive relief workers and supplies around, keep appliances and phones charged and provide heating.’

Six more mobile batteries 

Hyundai Ioniq 5: Powering the pop-up Hyundai Hotel in Essex and priced from £41,011

Kia Niro EV and EV6: The pure electric Niro EV range starts from £36,757, the EV6 from £45,195

Nissan Leaf: Priced from £28,995 and one of the earliest cars to offer two-way charging — and it was used as an emergency power source in the Fukushima nuclear crisis

Honda e: Honda is supplying 50 to Swiss car-share firm Mobility to trial the car’s bi-directional charging, to feed energy back to the grid when not in use. Priced from £36,920

Volkswagen: VW’s new electric ID.5 (from £50,625) and Buzz camper van (£57,115) have bi-directional charging fitted, but not yet the software download to activate it

Volvo EX90: Unveiled next month, this electric SUV is the first Volvo to feature two-way charging — for hooking up outdoor appliances, charging an electric bike, or your home

Causing a buzz

The pop-up Hyundai Hotel set up in fields in Essex just an hour from central London includes a luxury cabin, restaurant and cinema.

Everything in the cabin, created by rural holiday hideaway specialists Colemans Farm (colemans-farm.co.uk), is powered by an Ioniq 5 and its battery technology — from the lights and charging points to the kettle and shower.

So too is the neighbouring cocktail bar, restaurant with a menu serving three-course meals, as well as a coffee lounge.

And to cap off an evening’s entertainment guests are invited to enjoy a film from a car-powered projector and speakers. Accompanying snacks are provided by a popcorn machine taking its power from the same place.

The company said: ‘Hotel Hyundai has everything you’d expect from a high-end countryside break, just with the twist that all power is supplied by electric vehicles for a truly unique off- grid experience.’

The original inspiration for the electric car-powered hotel was not the threat of blackouts, but the chance to showcase how the technology could be used for living ‘off-grid’ at a time when the cost of living crisis was fuelling a boom in UK staycations.

Research commissioned by Hyundai among 2,000 holidaymakers found more than half (55 per cent) of people said the cost of living crisis has made them rethink their future holiday plans. 

Yet ironically, it’s the prospect of power cuts that highlights exactly what a boon they could be in the future. 

• Hotel Hyundai is open for 14 nights from October 19 to November 5.

Members of the public will be able to win a stay at the unique hotel. Visit kiphideaways.com/hideaways/hotel-hyundai

Meet the world’s fastest driver 

The fastest man in the world will be reunited with his record-breaking car this Saturday – as he prepares to beat it in a new vehicle.

Former RAF fighter pilot Andy Green will be at Coventry Transport Museum (transport-museum.com) for a 25th anniversary celebration of his World Land Speed Record in ThrustSSC in Nevada, when it became the first supersonic car in 1997.

Rocket man: Former RAF pilot Andy Green will be at Coventry Transport Museum for a 25th anniversary celebration of his World Land Speed Record in ThrustSSC 

Quarter of a century later, that supersonic record of 763.035 miles per hour (Mach 1.016) still stands.

Green was set to beat his own record in the Bloodhound LSR before it was mothballed due to the pandemic. 

Now the team behind it is seeking £10million to fund a carbon-zero land speed record attempt.

Green said: ‘Bloodhound had a great opportunity to do something really important. It still does.’

Both Thrust SSC and Bloodhound are housed at Coventry Transport Museum which is hosting talks, tours and more on the day.