Saviour EV: How an Australian woman’s car saved her son’s life when all nearby hospitals, doctors failed

In the aftermath of a severe storm and flash flooding that left parts of south-east Queensland, Australia without power, a local woman showcased the invaluable role of electric vehicles (EVs) in times of crisis.

Harnessing the massive battery pack of her electric car, the woman powered her son’s life-saving dialysis machine, emphasizing the tangible benefits of having such a resource readily available.

With an increasing number of EV manufacturers incorporating the capability for their vehicles to serve as power supplies, individuals facing power outages now have the option to charge essential devices.

Notably, some companies, such as Ford, have taken this feature to the next level, enabling their vehicles to contribute energy back to the grid and potentially power entire homes.

Kristy Holmes, residing on Australia’s Gold Coast, used her Atto 3 — an electric car produced by Chinese competitor BYD, not currently available in the US — to sustain her 11-year-old son’s dialysis machine during the blackout on Christmas Day.

“We ran it off the car,” Holmes shared with The Guardian. “We only needed to use it for the one night. We could have run it for at least four nights and then have to go charge the car somewhere.”

The situation was reportedly a matter of life and death, as Holmes’ son was slated to be added to a transplant list and would have required transportation to Brisbane in the absence of the EV’s support.

Beyond the critical task of preserving her son’s life, Holmes’s electric vehicle also powered some critical household appliances, including her slow cooker, and assisted in supplying power to neighbours’ refrigerators during the blackout.

This innovative use of EVs highlights their potential not just as an efficient means of transportation but also as crucial backup power sources during emergencies.

In a parallel effort, other locals deployed Tesla Powerwalls — rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs capable of powering entire homes — to aid their neighbours during the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)