Using Prius as generator during power outage?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by taxce, Dec 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM.

  1. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2019
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    Location:
    california
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I’m curious about two topics and I have no knowledge of either of them, so any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

    first: if I want to run electrical devices from my car what is the simplest way to set that up and make it happen? I have gleaned so far that to do this I need an inverter, but there seem to be a ton of inverters for sale for all different prices and I’ve never used one before so it’s unknown territory for me.

    second: Is it possible to actually use the Prius as a generator during a power outage? And if so what are the things I need to do this? Right now I’m staying in a rather remote area. A bad wind storm can knock the power out and worst case scenario is can be days before power is restored so if there is a way to do this, I think I should definitely give it a try!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    114,059
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base