The competition to provide the best energy-saving solutions for EV owners is heating up, and General Motors is making a big splash with its new PowerBank. This stationary energy storage battery pack, developed by GM’s unit GM Energy, allows electric vehicle (EV) owners to store and transfer energy from the electric grid, integrate with home solar power equipment, and even power their homes during outages.
The PowerBank comes in two sizes: 10.6 kWh and 17.7 kWh. GM boasts that combining two of its 17.7 kWh PowerBanks can provide enough energy to power the average American home for up to 20 hours.
PowerBank can be purchased as part of two bundles: the GM Energy Storage bundle for $10,999, and the GM Energy Home System bundle for $12,700. The latter includes a bi-directional EV charger capable of providing up to 19.2 kWh of power.
This move puts GM in direct competition with Tesla’s PowerWall 3, a similar home energy storage system that offers 13.5 kWh of capacity for $9,300.
GM’s PowerBank boasts key advantages, including its “modularity,” which allows for easy integration with existing technology. This focus on seamless integration aligns with GM’s August announcement that all its 2026 model year vehicles will include vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology. Now, GM is also offering vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows EVs to contribute to the power grid, providing additional energy and financial savings to owners.
This shift towards energy savings and integration is a growing trend among EV manufacturers. Nissan, BMW, Ford, and Honda have joined forces to offer the ChargeScape V2G software, which connects EVs to utilities and the power grid. EV owners can benefit from financial incentives by pausing charging during peak demand or even selling energy back to the grid.
While Tesla has yet to fully embrace V2G technology, CEO Elon Musk has hinted that V2G tech could be introduced for Tesla vehicles in 2025.
The future of electric vehicles is increasingly intertwined with energy storage, and GM’s PowerBank is a clear indication of the company’s commitment to this growing market. As EV adoption continues to rise, we can expect to see even more innovative and integrated energy solutions emerge.
