GM Takes A Leaf Out Of Tesla's Book: EVs To Double As Home Backup Power Sources During Blackouts

General Motors GM revealed its intention to outfit all its electric vehicles with the capability to serve as backup power during electricity blackouts.

This move to incorporate a two-way charging technology in the Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC electric vehicles will allow them to power homes during emergencies, according to New York Times.

The technology will debut in vehicles this year, including the electric version of the Silverado pickup and an electric Cadillac Escalade. By 2026, all GM electric vehicles will feature this vehicle-to-home technology.

Such vehicles, capable of maintaining essential home functions during power outages, might gain traction as blackouts, exacerbated by climate change, become more prolonged and frequent. The U.S. Energy Information Administration notes that the average duration of power outages has doubled from 2015 to 2021.

"In addition to providing you with the mobility that you've enjoyed for the past 100 years with cars, we can now also provide backup power to your home," stated Hossein Hassani, a GM vice president.

This move by GM intensifies its rivalry with Elon Musk’s Tesla TSLA, known for its Powerwall batteries that store solar energy for backup power. However, Tesla vehicles currently lack the capability to power homes.

Although all GM vehicles will have this feature, additional hardware, which is expected to cost less than a standalone generator or battery, will be required to connect to home electrical systems.

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