GM to Introduce V2H Capabilities to All Ultium-based EVs

General Motors has announced its intention to expand the utilization of vehicle-to-home (V2H) bidirectional charging technology across its retail lineup of electric vehicles based on the Ultium platform by the year 2026. The first set of vehicles to incorporate this technology will include the previously introduced 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, followed sequentially by the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, and the upcoming Cadillac ESCALADE IQ.

“GM Energy’s growing ecosystem of energy management solutions will help accelerate GM’s vision of an all-electric future by further expanding access to even more benefits that EVs can offer,” stated Wade Sheffer, vice president, GM Energy. “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 a broader scale than ever before.”

What is vehicle-to-home (V2H)?

Vehicle-to-home or V2H allows electric vehicles to provide power to a home using bidirectional charging technology where the flow of electricity is in two directions: from the home to the vehicle and from the vehicle back to the home. This can be useful during power outages or emergencies. An EV with V2H functionality can essentially act as a mobile power source, providing electricity to your home from its battery. It can power essential appliances and devices in your home until regular grid power is restored.

GM first articulated its goal of developing home energy systems—with its partners at SunPower—to enable its EVs to provide H2H capabilities in October, 2022 when it announced Ultium Home as a part of its then-new GM Energy division.

As part of General Motors’ strategy to provide an expanding range of energy management products and services through GM Energy, the V2H technology offers an added advantage for electric vehicle drivers. Such a capability can assist in reducing electricity consumption during peak demand periods and mitigating the impact of power outages.

The number of electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with V2H capabilities continuously increases. Battery Technology has been diligently monitoring the latest EVs featuring bidirectional charging functionalities, and the roster of such vehicles is consistently expanding. Ultimately, this advancement makes the transition to an all-electric future even more appealing and practical.

V2H technology represents a groundbreaking development in integrating electric vehicles (EVs) with the energy infrastructure. By enabling bidirectional energy flow between EVs and homes, V2H transforms EVs from mere modes of transportation into dynamic energy assets. V2H not only enhances the efficiency and resilience of energy systems but also exemplifies the potential of technology to reshape our approach to mobility and sustainability.