GM activates V2G for existing EVs and launches Energy Pass

General Motors has unveiled a new strategy to integrate its electric vehicles into the broader energy grid, positioning the automaker as a key player in the evolving power economy. The announcements, made at the GM Empower event in San Francisco on Monday, June 9, centered on activating vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology for existing customers and launching a unified public charging service called Energy Pass.

The company announced it is activating V2G capability for more than 250,000 bidirectional-capable GM vehicles already on U.S. roads through a firmware update, requiring no new hardware for customers. This technology allows EVs to send stored electricity back to the grid during periods of high demand, effectively turning parked cars into distributed energy resources. Sterling Anderson, GM's executive vice president of global product, stated the company is working to help reduce pressure on the grid by leveraging these vehicles as assets.

GM estimates the combined battery capacity of its current bidirectional fleet could theoretically power roughly 120,000 average U.S. homes for up to a week. The automaker is already conducting real-world tests, including a project with...