BYD EVs Just Powered a World-Record BBQ — Here's Why V2L Matters
Hundreds of electric BBQs ran off BYD EVs at a Guinness World Record event. What the V2L stunt tells us about novated leasing a BYD in 2026. Read more.
In June 2026, hundreds of participants broke the Guinness World Record for the world's largest barbecue lesson — with every single BBQ running off power drawn directly from BYD electric vehicles, according to The Driven. No extension cords from the grid. No generators. Just cars doing something most people don't realise cars can do.
The technology making this possible is called Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) — the ability to plug standard appliances directly into your EV and draw usable AC power from the battery. It's been on selected BYD models for a while now, but powering a Guinness World Record event is a fairly memorable product demonstration.
What this means for novated lease customers
If you're considering a novated lease and a BYD is on your shortlist, the V2L capability is worth understanding — not because you're planning to host 500-person BBQs, but because it signals how far BYD's technology has matured.
BYD models with V2L — including the Atto 3 and the Shark ute — are FBT-exempt under the current EV exemption when they fall under the luxury car tax threshold and meet the eligibility criteria. That exemption is what makes novated leasing an EV genuinely different from leasing a petrol car: the FBT that would normally apply to the private use benefit is waived entirely, which is where the potential savings come from. The exact outcome depends on your income, the vehicle price, and your lease term — a proper quote will show you the numbers for your situation.
V2L also has a practical angle for lease customers: if you're using the vehicle for camping, worksites, or even just running a laptop at a remote location, that's real-world utility baked into the lease cost rather than bolted on as an afterthought.
Common questions
Which BYD models are available on a novated lease in Australia?
BYD has a growing Australian lineup including the Atto 3, Seal, Dolphin, and Shark ute. Eligibility for the FBT EV exemption depends on the drive-away price relative to the luxury car tax threshold — your novated lease provider should confirm this before you commit.
What is V2L and which BYD models support it?
V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) lets you plug standard AC appliances — think power tools, camping gear, or apparently electric BBQs — directly into a socket on the vehicle. Not every BYD model supports it, so check the spec sheet for the variant you're interested in.
Does V2L capability affect how a novated lease is structured?
No — V2L is a vehicle feature, not a financial one. It doesn't change how the lease is calculated. But it may affect which vehicle you choose, which in turn affects the lease cost and FBT exemption eligibility.
Is the EV FBT exemption still active in 2026?
As of mid-2026 the exemption remains in place for eligible battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids ordered before the PHEV cut-off date. Legislation can change — always confirm current eligibility with a licensed adviser before signing.
Why does it matter that millarX is ACL-licensed and AFCA-registered?
It means millarX operates under Australian Credit Law and has an independent dispute resolution body available to you if something goes wrong. For novated leasing — which involves a credit arrangement — that regulatory oversight matters.