General Motors is now releasing its PowerBank energy storage battery packs, providing the first real competition to the Tesla Powerwall home energy storage system directly from the automaker.
While other automakers have discussed energy storage products, and the Ford F-150 Lightning could have a home backup power system, GM appears to be the first to bring real battery packs to the US market since Tesla.
Part of GM's energy play that sees EVs become home power banks and more, the PowerBank is available in 10.6-kwh and 17.7-kwh capacities as part of home car bundles that include the chargers and inverters needed to connect these batteries to EVs. and home electrical systems. GM previously said the V2H bundles would only be available for purchase in California, Florida, Michigan, New York, and Texas, but now the company boasts availability in 50 states.
General Motors electric power storage
Customers can also combine two 17.7-kwh packs, with an output of 35.4 kwh which is enough to power the average American home for up to 20 hours, GM claims. And an available charger connects to the energy storage systems in GM EVs, allowing owners to tap into the full battery capacity, which in large electric trucks can reach 205 kwh.
GM confirmed last summer that it plans to expand dual-charging to its entire EV lineup—the so-called Ultium—for the 2026 model year. So owners of all new GM EVs will be able to use their vehicles as home backup power sources during that time.
GM Energy home system with PowerBank energy storage
Complete home power systems with PowerBank units starting at $12,700. GM previously confirmed prices of $1,699 for the mandatory Powershift Charger to initially access EVs' dual charging functionality and $5,600 for the V2H enablement kit. The kit includes all the computer components needed for the power storage installation, minus the battery pack itself.
Tesla currently offers a single 13.5-kwh capacity for its Powerwall systems, with various outputs up to 11.5 kw and the ability to integrate with home solar installations. But the main difference may be the links, as it remains to be seen whether GM's app can offer anything close to the easy flexibility of Tesla's app for EVs and all-power stuff.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV with GM Ultium Home power system
GM initially outlined the machines in mid-2023. But then a different partner, SunPower, would provide installation and support. It tested the technology leading to this device set to pilot in California starting in 2022. GM announced a switch to Qmerit as a supplier this spring, and in August SunPower—one of the most popular solar options of the past decade—filed for bankruptcy.