General Motors (GM) is moving deeper into the energy business by giving some U.S. electric vehicle owners the ability to sell electricity back to the power grid, creating a new revenue opportunity for drivers and the automaker.
The company announced a software update that expands its existing vehicle-to-home system. The technology already allows certain GM electric vehicles to power homes during blackouts. The new update adds Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capability, allowing stored battery power to be sent back to utilities during periods of high electricity demand.
Under the program, EV owners could receive payments from utilities for supplying electricity to the grid, while GM would receive a share of the revenue.
A GM spokesperson said the company has thousands of vehicle-to-home customers but did not disclose an exact figure.
Vehicle-to-Grid and Utility Grid Modernisation
The move highlights a growing trend among automakers seeking new revenue streams beyond vehicle sales. Companies are increasingly investing in Energy Storage Solutions and broader energy services as electric vehicles become more common.
GM Energy Chief Revenue Officer Aseem Kapur said the company is currently in discussions with around 10 utilities as it prepares for a wider rollout.
Commercial deployment is expected to begin in the coming months, starting in California and Texas, two states with large EV populations and significant electricity demand.
In Michigan, GM is already working with DTE Energy on a pilot project involving 30 GM employees to test the technology.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Faces Challenges
Despite the potential benefits, widespread adoption remains uncertain.
Many drivers may prefer to keep their vehicles fully charged rather than sell electricity back to the grid. Utilities also remain cautious due to the investments required and questions surrounding long-term performance.
For utilities, however, Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as connected EV batteries could provide additional support during periods of peak demand and grid stress.
Competition Expands in Energy Services
GM’s latest move mirrors broader industry efforts to build energy businesses around electric vehicles. Automakers including Ford Motor have been pursuing similar opportunities, following strategies pioneered by Tesla.
As demand for cleaner energy and smarter power systems grows, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure may increasingly become part of the electricity network itself, transforming EVs from transportation devices into mobile energy assets.
Read also: GM pauses $3.5bn Indiana battery plant as EV demand pressure grows
