General Motors (GM) has outlined an ambitious strategy to transform electric vehicles into active energy resources, positioning the automaker at the center of the future energy ecosystem.
At its GM Empower 2026 event, GM Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson announced a broad initiative focused on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, grid-scale battery storage, and integrated home energy systems. The company said the move is aimed at easing pressure on increasingly strained power grids while expanding the role of electric vehicles beyond transportation.
GM revealed that more than 250,000 bidirectional-capable electric vehicles are already on roads today. When connected to GM home energy systems, these EVs can supply electricity back to homes during outages and potentially support local power grids during periods of high demand.
The company plans to make bidirectional charging a standard feature across its EV lineup, including models such as the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Cadillac ESCALADE IQ. GM believes the technology could lower energy costs for consumers while improving grid reliability.
To accelerate deployment, GM is collaborating with major utility companies across the United States. In Northern California, the company is partnering with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), where projections suggest that by 2030 more than 52,000 GM EVs could participate in grid-balancing operations. Similar testing is also underway with DTE Energy in Michigan.
GM also introduced “Energy Pass,” a new platform designed to simplify charging and energy management through a unified mobile app experience. The company said the app will eventually allow users to manage vehicle charging, home power consumption, and interactions with the electric grid in one interface.
Beyond vehicles, GM is expanding into large-scale energy storage. The automaker announced a partnership with Peak Energy to develop sodium-ion battery systems for stationary grid storage applications. Unlike lithium-ion batteries used in EVs, sodium-ion technology is designed for long-term durability and cost-efficient storage for utilities and data centers.
In another sustainability initiative, GM is collaborating with Redwood Materials to repurpose used EV battery packs for energy storage projects. Around 100 second-life battery packs are expected to power a Michigan facility, generating 1.5 megawatts of electricity and reducing energy costs by an estimated $3 million over the project’s lifetime.
GM said the combined strategy of EV integration and grid-scale storage represents a major step toward a more resilient, decentralized energy future.
