What to Do During a Blackout if You Have an Electric Car

On Monday, around 12:30 PM, a widespread power outage occurred in numerous parts of Spain, Portugal, and various locations across Europe.

The power cut has virtually halted all activity, causing transport issues, prompting authorities to advise against travel.

The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has advised avoiding travel during the power outage affecting many areas of the country since 12:30 PM on Monday.

"Due to the blackout, we ask you to avoid driving as much as possible. The lack of electricity means traffic lights and signage panels are not operational. Avoid traveling if possible and exercise caution on the roads," was the message posted on their X account.

Some modern electric cars are equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) or Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology. This allows the car's battery to power electronic devices or even your home (if you have the proper setup).

This could be useful for charging phones, lights, or other essential devices during a blackout. This particularly affects electric vehicles, which cannot be recharged without power supply. For now, if you have an electric car, you can continue driving until the battery runs out, as you normally would, since a power grid blackout does not affect the energy stored in your car's battery.

If you need to recharge and the local power grid is down, you can try to find charging stations with alternative energy sources, such as solar panels with battery storage or generators. However, their availability during a widespread blackout may be limited.

If you run out of battery during a blackout, you can contact your roadside assistance service. Some companies may offer solutions like portable chargers or towing to a functional charging station.

It is advisable to maintain a sufficient charge level in your battery, especially if you live in an area prone to blackouts. Avoiding completely depleting the battery is a good general practice.

Combustion vehicles can also be affected, especially if the blackout lasts a long time, as service stations will not be operational.

In the event of a widespread blackout disabling gas stations, the situation requires calm and a series of preventive measures. Keep your vehicle's tank sufficiently fueled: Try not to go below a quarter tank, as this fuel may be necessary for an emergency.

Use the car only for essential trips. The gasoline available in your tank will be limited, and gas stations will not be able to refuel until electricity is restored.

In very rare cases, there might be gas stations with emergency generators, but this is not common during widespread blackouts.

If you need fuel for a vital emergency (e.g., transporting a sick person), contact local emergency services to see if they can offer any assistance or information.

Identify alternative routes that do not rely on traffic lights and consider alternative transportation methods such as bicycles or walking for short distances.

Stay calm and drive with extreme caution, as traffic signals will not be operational. Treat intersections as if they were yield signs. If possible, consider using other means of transportation like bicycles or walking.

Once the power supply is restored, gas stations may experience high demand. Be patient and follow the staff's instructions.