General Motors has announced a new software upgrade that will enable electric vehicle owners across the United States to sell electricity back to power companies, marking another step by automakers into the energy business sector.
The software enhancement expands capabilities for owners who already have GM’s vehicle-to-home energy systems, which currently allow electric cars to supply power to houses during outages. Now, these same drivers will be able to send electricity back to the power grid and receive compensation from utilities during peak demand periods, with GM taking a portion of those payments.
According to a GM spokesperson, the company currently has thousands of customers using the vehicle-to-home technology, though specific numbers were not disclosed. The success of this grid-selling feature may depend on whether drivers are willing to use their car’s battery power for the grid rather than keeping it fully charged for driving.
The rollout faces several challenges, as very few utility companies currently offer this type of service, and the practice remains largely experimental. GM Energy Chief Revenue Officer Aseem Kapur told Reuters during a San Francisco event that the company is currently in talks with approximately 10 utility providers.
Kapur indicated that commercial availability of the grid-selling technology will likely begin within the coming months, with California and Texas expected to be the first states to offer the service. In Michigan, GM has partnered with utility DTE Energy to test the vehicle-to-grid concept with 30 company employees.
Utility companies have shown caution regarding vehicle-to-grid programs due to concerns about required investments, technological uncertainties, and questions about user adoption rates.
GM joins other major automakers, including crosstown competitor Ford Motor, in developing energy-related business ventures, following the path established by Tesla in expanding beyond traditional vehicle manufacturing.
