Empowering EV Owners with Bidirectional Charging Technology

Electric vehicle manufacturers are developing bidirectional charging technology, which enables EVs to not just receive energy from the grid, but to send energy back to the drivers own home.

GM is one such company offering its residential customers the use of vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging technology. This will provide power from a compatible GM EV, to a home matched with the proper equipment.

On Earth Day, we take a closer look at bidirectional charging and how it can support EV drivers across the world to reduce their energy bills, make their homes run more sustainably and feel safer, no matter the weather. 

GM creates an all-electric lifestyle, for all seasons

The GM Energy product suite provides residential customers with the option to choose a solution which meets their energy needs and budget. This can all be managed online or via the GM mobile app, through a GM Energy representative and Qmerit, the preferred installer. They take care of organising the necessary permits and connect with the required utilities, creating a convenient customer experience.

The first EV in GM’s portfolio to be compatible with the GM Energy home product suite, is the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV First-Edition RST2. 

“GM Energy is committed to making the transition to an all-electric lifestyle an even more compelling option by simplifying all aspects of personal energy management,” said Wade Sheffer, Vice President of GM Energy. “With the introduction of these new offerings, it has never been easier for our customers to access the expanded benefits of a holistic EV ecosystem, helping to mitigate the impacts of power outages and having the ability to offset certain energy costs over time.”

This technology also protects EV drivers and their homes from weather-related power outages and provides them with personal grid resiliency. In 2022, the US experienced, an average of five hours of power outages, due to events such as hurricanes, storms and extreme volumes of snow. For EV drivers with bidirectional charging technology installed in their homes, this means that they can plug in their EV and use any available charge to power their home. For those who rely on electricity for medical reasons, such as people who use ventilators or dialysis machines, this bidirectional charging technology could be life-saving.

Kia and Volkswagen utilise bidirectional charging

Other electric vehicles involved with bidirectional charging are Kia and Volkswagen. 

The Kia EV9 was named the ‘World's Best Car for 2024’ at the Women's Worldwide Car of the Year, out of 63 contenders. The EV9 offers seven seats and advanced technology in the electric SUV segment, including bidirectional charging.

Read more here. 

Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s ID. models (which have a 77 kWh battery) can now use the bidirectional charging function.

“With the bidirectional charging function that is now available, we have tailored a new service offering to the needs of our customers,” says Imelda Labbé, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales. “Not only can they save energy costs, but they are also making an important contribution to the sustainable use of energy." 

Read the full article here. 

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