General Motors (GM) is collaborating with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) on a pilot program that aims to develop electric vehicles which can be used to power homes.
Chevrolet's upcoming Silverado EV electric pickup could eventually bring bidirectional charging
According to GM’s press statement, it plans to test EVs that use bidirectional charging technology with PG&E, with the goal of using the vehicles as on-demand power sources for customers within the utility company’s service area.
GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra expressed enthusiasm over the partnership. “GM’s collaboration with PG&E further expands our electrification strategy, demonstrating our EVs as reliable mobile sources of power. Our teams are working rapidly to scale this pilot and bring bidirectional charging technology to our customers.”
“We are really excited about this innovative collaboration with GM. Imagine a future where everyone is driving an electric vehicle – and where that EV serves as a backup power option at home and more broadly as a resource for the grid,” said PG&E CEO Patti Poppe.
The F-150 Lightning by Ford can already power a home in case of emergency
Both companies will commence testing of the pilot’s first vehicle-to-home capable EV this year, and will involve multiple GM EVs. This includes bidirectional hardware and software-defined communications protocols that coordinate between the EV, home, and PG&E’s electric supply, diverting electricity from the EV to the home in the event of power interruption.
GM’s rival automaker Ford already brings bidirectional charging capability through its F-150 Lightning electric pickup. Under normal conditions, the vehicle is charged through the domestic outlet. When power is cut off, the EV uses Ford Intelligent Backup Power to function as a generator, supplying the home with electricity for up to 10 days.
GM is planning to have 30 new electric models by 2025
However, only the F-150 Lightning currently has this feature among the Blue Oval brand’s roster of EVs which includes the Mustang Mach-E and the E-Transit. Meanwhile, GM plans to include the feature on its entire electric lineup.
The company projects that it will have over 1 million EV units across North America using its Ultium Platform, a combined EV architecture and propulsion system.
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