Portable power banks can provide electricity to homes and cars in an emergency when power is lost from traditional sources. Electric vehicle makers now sell these power solutions, which combine with battery-electric cars, trucks and SUVs to create a vehicle-at-home charging ecosystem.
General Motors Energy, GM’s wholly owned subsidiary, has expanded its presence in the home energy storage sector with its new PowerBank. The lithium-ion battery comes in 10.6 and 17.7 kWh options, which can either power a home in an emergency or offset higher electricity rates during peak demand. GM claims that by combining two 17.7 kWh batteries, an average American home can be powered for up to 20 hours.
The system can be purchased as part of the GM Energy Home System bundle, which also includes a GM Energy PowerShift charger and a GM Energy Home Vehicle Activation Kit. Buyers who already have the GM Energy V2H package can simply add a GM Energy PowerBank.
“One of the key differentiators of GM Energy’s portfolio is its modularity,” said Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM Energy in a press release. “The flexibility of our energy management tools, combined with one of the largest ranges of car-to-home compatible electric vehicles on the market, gives our customers more control over their energy consumption, helping to mitigate the impact of power outages, by integrating renewable energy options. and unlock additional values.
Currently under the General Motors banner the Silverado EV, Equinox EV and Blazer EV (with software update); GMC Sierra EV; and Cadillac Lyriq (with software update) all feature bi-directional charging, meaning the vehicle’s battery can also be used to power a home when needed.
General engines
Ford buyers can purchase the Ford Power Station, which provides two-way charging with the Ford F-150 Lightning. This power station, however, only functions as a charger and cannot be used for energy storage. The company recently announced that electric vehicle buyers will get a free home charger and free installation with any purchase.
Nissan also offers a wall-mounted system called xStorage, but it is currently not available in the United States.
GM’s main rival in home energy storage solutions is Tesla. The company sells Powerwall, which, like GM’s system, can capture solar or grid energy, store it, then use it when electricity rates are high or during a power outage. Powerwall 3, its latest generation, has an energy capacity of 13.5 kWh, although it can now provide more continuous energy than before. It can also be upgraded and added for more power.
Electric vehicle charging and home power solutions go hand in hand
The concept of creative home vehicle charging environment is an advanced and important tool for automobile manufacturers and owners. Enabling homes to charge their cars and cars to charge their homes, and returning green energy to the grid, results in less reliance on public charging infrastructure and utility companies. With V2H solutions offered by known entities, alongside vehicles, automakers are introducing a foreign concept to buyers in a way that can accelerate adoption of the technology.
Many electric vehicles now have two-way charging, including almost the entire Hyundai Motor Group, Volkswagen ID.4 and Polestar. Porsche’s Taycan EV can also send power back to a home when needed, as can the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Lucid Air and a few others. During the 2021 Texas power outage, the Ford Lightning made headlines by keeping the lights and heat on for days in a man’s home.
