BYD EVs Powered a World-Record BBQ — Here's Why V2L Matters
BYD EVs ran every BBQ at a Guinness World Record event using V2L tech. Here's what vehicle-to-load means for novated lease customers eyeing a BYD.
Hundreds of people just broke the Guinness World Record for the world's largest barbecue lesson — and every single electric BBQ was powered by BYD EVs using vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, according to The Driven.
Is it a stunt? Yes. Is it also a genuinely useful demonstration of what V2L actually does in the real world? Also yes. V2L lets a compatible EV export power from its battery to run external devices — tools, appliances, camping gear, or apparently, a few hundred electric barbecues at once. No generator required.
What this means for novated lease customers
If you're considering a BYD through a novated lease, the BBQ stunt is a good reminder that V2L is a practical feature — not just a spec-sheet checkbox. Being able to run appliances directly from your car has real-world value: worksites, camping trips, power outages at home.
BYD models including the Atto 3, Seal, and Dolphin are all available on novated leases in Australia. As EVs, they also attract FBT-exempt treatment under the current federal government policy for eligible zero-emission vehicles — meaning your employer can provide the benefit with no fringe benefits tax applied, which is where the potential savings in a novated arrangement come from.
The V2L capability doesn't change the tax treatment, but it does change the value proposition of the vehicle itself. More utility from the same car, financed in a way that reduces your taxable income — that's worth understanding before you sign anything.
Common questions
Which BYD models have V2L and are available on novated lease in Australia?
Several BYD models sold in Australia include V2L capability, including the Seal and Atto 3. Availability on novated lease depends on your employer's agreement and the vehicle's driveaway price — speak to a novated consultant to confirm current model eligibility.
Are BYD EVs FBT-exempt under the current Australian rules?
BYD battery-electric vehicles that fall under the government's FBT exemption threshold for zero-emission cars are generally eligible for FBT-exempt novated lease treatment. The rules are set by the ATO and Treasury — eligibility depends on the vehicle's luxury car tax status and your employer's participation. millarX can confirm eligibility for specific models.
What exactly is V2L (vehicle-to-load)?
V2L is a feature that allows an EV to export power from its traction battery to external devices via a standard outlet — built into the car or via an adaptor. Think of it as a large, mobile power bank. It's separate from V2H (vehicle-to-home), which requires additional hardware.
Does having V2L affect the novated lease cost or FBT treatment?
No. V2L is a vehicle feature and doesn't change how the lease is structured or how FBT exemption is applied. The tax treatment depends on the vehicle type and price, not its features.
I'm not an EV person — is a BYD still worth considering?
That's a fair question and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. BYD models are competitively priced in the Australian market and the FBT exemption can make the after-tax cost meaningfully different compared to an equivalent petrol car on a novated lease. Whether the vehicle suits your lifestyle is a separate call — but the numbers are worth running.