A Practical Approach to Electric Vehicles

General Motors announced on Tuesday its plan to equip all of its electric cars and trucks with the ability to act as backup power supplies during blackouts. The decision to incorporate two-way charging technology in Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC electric vehicles not only emphasizes their cleaner nature compared to gasoline counterparts but also positions them as a practical solution.

This technology will be introduced in vehicles starting this year, including electric versions of the Silverado pickup and the Cadillac Escalade which is set to be unveiled on Wednesday. General Motors aims to have all its electric vehicles equipped with vehicle-to-home technology by the 2026 model year.

This includes a new version of the Chevrolet Bolt, which was initially planned for discontinuation but after receiving complaints about the absence of an affordable electric vehicle, the decision was reversed last month.

Addressing Power Outage Concerns and Climate Change

As blackouts become increasingly frequent and longer due to extreme weather events caused by climate change, the ability of vehicles to provide electricity and maintain essential appliances during power outages becomes appealing. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average duration of power outages has doubled from 2015 to 2021.

Car manufacturers are now focusing on the practical advantages of electric vehicles to attract not only environmentally conscious consumers but also those who value reliability and familiarity over new technology or additional costs. General Motors’ Vice President responsible for vehicle-to-home products, Hossein Hassani, highlighted the convenience of having backup power for homes in an interview.

While Tesla’s “Powerwall” batteries are currently capable of storing solar energy and providing backup power for homes, General Motors enters a new competition front by equipping its electric vehicles with backup power technology. Although Tesla has hinted at adding similar capabilities to their vehicles in the future, most electric cars do not currently possess such features.

It should be noted that although all General Motors vehicles will be capable of supplying power to homes, customers will need to purchase additional hardware to connect to their household electrical systems. However, the cost of this hardware is expected to be lower than that of a generator or a separate battery. As a comparison, Tesla’s Powerwalls are priced at $8,700 before federal tax credits.

Electric vehicles are also seen as an opportunity for utilities to store excess solar or renewable energy. In exchange for payment or bill discounts, owners would allow utilities to utilize their vehicles as energy storage devices, absorbing energy during surplus periods and releasing it back to the grid when there is a power demand.

Mr. Hassani addressed concerns about grid readiness for the increased adoption of electric vehicles, particularly in markets with blackouts, brownouts, and grid resiliency issues. He suggested reframing the question and exploring how electric vehicles can support and contribute to the stability of the power grid.