General Motors (GM) is taking another step towards making electric vehicle (EV) ownership more affordable. Through a new partnership with energy software company WeaveGrid, the automaker plans to help EV owners reduce home charging costs by automatically charging vehicles when electricity is cheapest.
The collaboration also lays the foundation for future energy programmes that could allow EV batteries to support electricity grids while rewarding homeowners financially. The initiative highlights how electric vehicles are increasingly becoming part of the wider energy ecosystem rather than simply serving as a means of transportation.
The partnership brings together GM Energy, the company’s energy solutions division, and WeaveGrid, a software company that connects electric vehicles with electricity providers. Their goal is to simplify home charging, reduce energy costs, and improve the efficiency of electricity networks.
Under the new managed charging programmes, owners of eligible GM electric vehicles will automatically charge their cars during off-peak hours when electricity demand and prices are lower. This removes the need for drivers to manually programme charging schedules or stay awake to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity tariffs.
Electricity prices in many markets fluctuate throughout the day, with peak demand periods often attracting significantly higher rates. By shifting charging to quieter periods, households can reduce monthly electricity bills while helping utilities balance energy demand more efficiently.
According to industry estimates, smart charging can reduce home EV charging costs by between 20% and 40%, depending on local electricity pricing structures and time-of-use tariffs. Savings will vary by region and utility provider, but the technology is expected to deliver meaningful long-term reductions in household energy costs.
The partnership extends beyond automated charging. Homes equipped with GM Energy’s vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology and compatible utility infrastructure may eventually participate in programmes that allow electricity providers to temporarily draw on stored energy in vehicle batteries during periods of high demand.
This technology transforms an electric vehicle into a mobile energy storage system. During power outages, compatible GM vehicles can already provide electricity to homes, keeping essential appliances such as refrigerators, lighting and communication devices operating.
Future utility programmes could further increase the value of this technology by offering financial incentives to homeowners who allow portions of their vehicle’s battery capacity to support local electricity grids during peak demand.
GM says much of its future EV portfolio is being designed for this capability. Vehicles expected to support vehicle-to-home technology include the upcoming 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, the 2026 Cadillac Celestiq, and the 2026 GMC Sierra EV, positioning the company for broader participation in intelligent energy management.
For electricity providers, managed charging offers significant operational benefits. Instead of experiencing thousands of vehicles charging simultaneously during evening peak hours, utilities can spread charging demand across periods when electricity generation capacity is underutilised. This reduces pressure on power grids, lowers operating costs and improves overall energy efficiency.
WeaveGrid’s software platform acts as the bridge between vehicles, home energy systems and electricity providers. Rather than requiring drivers to monitor complex electricity pricing schedules, the platform automatically selects the most cost-effective charging periods while enabling participation in approved utility programmes where available.
GM is not alone in investing in smart charging technologies. Major automakers including Ford, Tesla, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Rivian and Stellantis have also introduced managed charging capabilities as the automotive industry increasingly integrates electric vehicles with modern energy infrastructure.
Mathias Bell, Vice President of Market Development and Partnerships at WeaveGrid, described managed charging as one of the most important near-term opportunities for electricity providers. He said the same technology platform can eventually support more advanced services, including bidirectional charging, residential battery storage and wider grid coordination.
As electric vehicle adoption accelerates globally, partnerships such as this demonstrate how future mobility will extend beyond transportation. Smart charging has the potential to reduce household energy bills, strengthen electricity networks and unlock new financial opportunities for EV owners while supporting the transition to cleaner energy.
