General Motors is announcing they will offer “Bidirectional Charging” on future Ultium Powered Vehicles. But what is Bidirectional Charging? Why is it a big deal? And which vehicles will see it as a feature?
What is Bidirectional Charging?
Simply put, bidirectional charging means that an equipped vehicle can output electricity through its charging port to power external devices in addition to accepting power to simply charge the vehicle’s battery. That could be a home, a worksite, or anywhere you need generator levels of power. It’s otherwise known as “Vehicle To Home” charging.
It’s a game changer because owners of electric vehicles that have GM’s Ultium batteries will be able to use them to power their homes during blackouts, power outages, or campsites that are completely off the grid. All you’ll need is a compatible charger that can feed power back into your property’s electrical system.
What Ultium Vehicles Will Have Bidirectional Vehicle To Home Charging?
Right now, GM has announced that the first vehicles to receive the technology include the previously announced 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, followed by the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ and the upcoming Cadillac ESCALADE IQ. The HUMMER EV SUT and SUV are so far not included but will feature “vehicle to load” abilities – meaning they can provide external power but not directly to a home through a charger.
When Will This Technology Be Available?
GM is rolling out Vehicle to Home capabilities as the above-announced vehicles go on sale. That means adoption will be slow and take a few years. But the idea of using your BEV to keep the lights on in your home for up to 21 days seems like a future we can’t wait to live in.
Zane Merva is the Executive Editor of GM-Trucks.com and the President of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). A veteran automotive journalist with over 26 years of experience, Zane is a designated ‘Car Talk’ Expert and has been a contributor to The Boston Globe. He possesses a unique evaluative perspective, having road-tested more than 2,000 vehicles across every major manufacturer. While he is a recognized authority on General Motors truck platforms—including the Silverado, Sierra, and Colorado—his expertise is grounded in decades of deep competitive analysis that few in the industry can match. His commentary has been featured by major OEMs and media outlets, including Hyundai and PR Newswire