Portable power banks are becoming essential tools for emergencies, supplying electricity to homes and vehicles when traditional power sources fail. Electric vehicle manufacturers are stepping up by offering these portable power solutions, creating an efficient vehicle-to-home charging ecosystem.
General Motors Energy has recently launched its PowerBank, expanding into home energy storage with options of 10.6 and 17.7 kWh. These units can power a home during outages or help mitigate costs during peak electricity rates. GM claims that two combined 17.7-kWh batteries could keep the average American home running for up to 20 hours.
The PowerBank is part of the GM Energy Home System bundle, which also includes a PowerShift charger and Vehicle-to-Home Enablement kit. Existing GM Energy V2H Bundle users can easily add the PowerBank to their setup.
“Modularity is a key feature of GM Energy’s products,” stated Wade Sheffer, GM Energy’s VP. “Our flexible energy management tools, along with our extensive lineup of vehicle-to-home-capable EVs, empower customers to take control of their energy usage, tackle power outages, and explore renewable options.”
Bidirectional charging is available in several GM vehicles, including the Silverado EV, Equinox EV, and Cadillac Lyriq, allowing their batteries to power homes when necessary.
Ford offers the Ford Power Station, which works with the F-150 Lightning to enable bidirectional charging. However, it doesn’t serve as an energy storage solution. Ford also announced complimentary home chargers and installation for EV buyers.
Nissan has introduced a wall-mounted system called xStorage, though it’s yet to launch in the U.S.
On the home energy storage front, Tesla stands out as GM’s chief competitor with its Powerwall. This system integrates solar and grid energy, storing power for times of high demand or outages. The latest Powerwall 3 has a capacity of 13.5 kWh and can deliver more continuous power than its predecessors, plus it’s scalable for additional capacity.
Electric Vehicle Charging Meets Home Power Solutions
The idea of creating a vehicle-to-home charging setup is gaining traction among automakers and homeowners. This technology enables homes to charge vehicles and vice versa, reducing dependency on public charging stations and utility companies. With established automakers offering these solutions alongside their vehicles, the transition to this innovative technology may happen more rapidly.
Many electric vehicles now support bidirectional charging, including models from Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Polestar, as well as Porsche and Jeep. The Ford Lightning made headlines during the Texas power outage of 2021 for providing crucial power to a home for days.