Your EV has power to give
When the electrical grid goes down during a severe storm, some electric vehicles can provide power to external equipment. Marin Power is exploring whether that capability can help operate portable pumps in flood-prone areas.
We are building a volunteer network of EV owners who may be willing to support planned pumping missions when conditions warrant and when participation is safe.
- You keep your vehicle.
- You choose whether to participate.
- You are not becoming a professional emergency responder.
- Marin Power would provide the equipment, preparation, and coordination.
See how it works: [How It Works link]
Register Your EV (Check qualifying vehicle list first) : [Eligible vehicle list and registration link]
What does “Share Your Spark” mean?
It means making your vehicle’s electrical capability available for a planned community response when you are comfortable participating.
You would be asked to park your vehicle in a designated and mutually agreed upon location up to up to 24 hours. An activation request would be an invitation—not an obligation. You could decline because you are unavailable, need your vehicle, or do not feel conditions are safe.
How an EV could help
The basic concept is:
- Your EV provides electricity.
- That electricity operates an approved portable pump.
- The pump moves accumulated water away from a predetermined location.
- The EV provides temporary power when the electrical grid is unavailable.
The equipment, connection process, safety procedures, and operating limits will be tested before the volunteer network becomes operational.
[Learn about the proposed pump network: [The Pump Network link]
Not every EV qualifies
An EV’s ability to provide power depends on more than its battery size. Marin Power will evaluate vehicles based on their actual export capabilities and compatibility with the selected pump.
Qualification may depend on:
- Make, model, model year, trim, and configuration
- Vehicle-to-load or other power-export capability
- Outlet configuration
- Continuous power output
- Motor-starting capability
- Compatibility with the approved pump
- Results of equipment testing
The goal is not to create the longest possible list of vehicles. It is to identify vehicles that Marin Power can rely on to perform the planned task.
Review qualifying vehicles by participation level: [Eligible vehicle list link]
Two levels of EV participation
Level 1 — Neighborhood Response
Most participating EVs would be considered for the neighborhood pumping network.
- Initial pump target: approximately 1/3 horsepower
- Intended primarily for sump pumps that stopped operating. Other conditions considered.
- Vehicles must be able to park in a safe location to operate the pump for the planned mission
- Planning target: 12 hours minimum; 24 hours preferred
Level 2 — Heavy Response
A much smaller group of exceptionally capable EVs may be considered for the heavy-response network.
- Initial pump target: approximately 1½–2 horsepower
- Larger motors may have substantially higher starting requirements
- Additional vehicle and equipment testing would be required
- Planning target: 12 hours minimum; 24 hours preferred
- During severe events, longer coverage may require vehicle rotation
The appropriate level will be determined by the vehicle’s tested capabilities, the pump, the site, and the mission requirements.
EV owners do not need to determine their own level before registering.
[Learn more about the pump levels and deployment network: [The Pump Network link]
What a volunteer might do
The final procedure will be developed and tested during the pilot. A participating volunteer might be asked to:
- Register a vehicle and provide vehicle capability information
- Complete an orientation or training
- Learn the approved equipment and connection procedure
- Remain in the volunteer network during storm season, if desired
- Respond to an activation request if available and conditions are safe
- Follow the established deployment and safety procedures
No volunteer would be expected to participate in a situation they believe is unsafe.
You can choose when to participate
Volunteer availability may vary. You might be available for:
- A particular storm
- Daytime or overnight missions
- Short or extended deployments
- Certain days or time periods
- Only specific activation requests
The purpose of a larger volunteer network is to ensure that no individual owner has to carry the burden.
What happens to the battery?
The pilot will measure actual energy use rather than rely on assumptions. Testing will help determine:
- How much energy each pump consumes
- How long different EVs can operate it
- How pump startup affects the vehicle
- What battery reserve should remain
- When vehicle rotation may be necessary
- What operating limits and guidelines are appropriate
Vehicle owners will receive clearer participation guidelines before being asked to support an emergency deployment.
See what the pilot is testing: [Pilot Program link]
Learn how results will be evaluated: [Measuring Success link]
Safety and transportation
Safety will take priority over deployment. A volunteer may decline or leave a mission if conditions become unsafe.
Marin Power is also exploring transportation support for volunteers during extended deployments. Any transportation arrangement, eligibility requirements, and related details would be established before the network becomes operational. Participation should not be understood to include transportation support unless that support is formally confirmed.
Read the safety requirements and program limits: [Safety & Boundaries link]
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for EV owners who:
- Own a vehicle that may have suitable power-export capability
- Are willing to participate voluntarily
- Can follow established safety procedures
- Are comfortable responding to a coordinated request
- Want to help their community
- Understand that participation may not always be possible or appropriate
What happens next?
If you are interested, you can:
- Review the currently identified vehicle types
- Register your vehicle when the registration form is available
- After registration you will be contacted within 2 weeks to learn about next steps for training and matching.
Register Your EV (Check qualifying vehicle list first) : [Eligible vehicle list and registration link]
That is the idea behind Share Your Spark: using power the community already has to prevent damage, disruption and displacement, when and EV can safely help.