General Motors is now introducing a way for its Ultium-based electric vehicles will help in powering homes, as vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging is coming by 2024. This feature will help in different situations, especially during a power outage where the electricity supply is temporarily cut off due to natural calamities, accidents, and other situations.
This new initiative will center on bi-directional charging, which means that apart from these EVs taking power from homes to charge, they can also give back when needed.
GM Vehicle-to-Home Charging Coming by 2026
(Photo : GM)
According to the latest press release from General Motors, bi-directional charging is coming for its Ultium-based EVs, with its earliest releases centering on its 2024 lineup that supports this feat. This means that GM EVs may be eligible for vehicle-to-home charging, using electric vehicles as power generators for the household.
This is among the latest features for EVs, apart from tech capabilities, it can also serve as a power generator that helps homes with their power needs, especially in outages or natural disasters.
GM said that this feature will be available for EVs under the model year 2026.
"By integrating V2H across our entire Ultium-based portfolio, we are making this groundbreaking technology available to more consumers, with benefits that extend well beyond the vehicle itself, and at broader scale than ever before," said Wade Sheffer, vice president, GM Energy.
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GM's Ultium EVs Eligible for V2H Charging
GM said that this will center on its Ultium-based EVs including the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ and the upcoming Cadillac ESCALADE IQ.
The latter will see an unveiling this August 9.
According to Engadget, it is unknown if GM is also applying this feature to the upcoming Ultium-based Chevrolet Bolt EV.
EVs Eligible to Power Homes
While you think EVs can only give as much to the environment, well, it also gives back to people, especially in times of grave need. One of the earliest EVs that introduced itself as a massive source of energy is the Ford F-150 Lightning EV which previously collaborated with PG&E to bring power amidst disasters, straight from the car.
It is not the only one to do so, as Volvo is also applying it for the EX90 EV, with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability to bring back power to sources also available, but V2H is coming soon.
There is also the Nissan Leaf which features V2H capabilities with its bi-directional charging capabilities that intend to help those in need.
While being a power generator is not the main purpose of an electric vehicle, it sure is a nifty additional feature, especially for those with bi-directional charging capabilities. Soon, General Motors' Ultium-based electric cars will help power homes in times of need, centering on bi-directional charging capabilities for V2H features, and more.
Related Article: California Might Require All New EVs to be 'Bidirectional Capable' by 2027
