Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) residential customers can now take advantage of incentives in the thousands off the price of qualifying GM Energy home charging and energy management products. GM has joined PG&E’s vehicle-to-everything (V2X) pilot program, enabling energy customers to bundle their GM Energy systems and eventually get paid to supply excess energy back to their local grid.
While this particular incentive program only applies to certain customers of PG&E, it is big news for the growing segment of home energy management solutions, including energy storage systems, solar panels, and bidirectional EV charging.
GM Energy, the home and commercial charging solutions arm, spun out from Ultium Charge 360 three years ago, is establishing itself as a leader in that segment. In the summer of 2023, GM Energy launched its initial portfolio of Ultium Home products, which consisted of three separate bundles complete with vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging capabilities.
In May of 2024, GM Energy showed off the capabilities of its energy management products by powering an entire mansion using the products and a Chevy Silverado EV. Since then, GM Energy has expanded its business to all 50 United States, giving EV owners nationwide access to its portfolio of energy management products, which also includes two versions of an energy storage system (ESS) called PowerBank, which was introduced last October.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
With a growing lineup of home energy management and EV charging solutions, GM Energy is working alongside PG&E to expand its reach by incentivizing those customers to implement said technologies and explore more sustainable solutions. There may also be an option for vehicle-to-grid capabilities, which could be an absolute game-changer in how we use and manage our daily energy.
Source: GM Energy
PG&E customers can save $4,500 on GM Energy charging
GM shared that now that it has joined PG&E’s V2X pilot program, those energy customers in Northern and Central California can take advantage of incentivized pricing on specific charging and power hub products.
Customers who enroll in the Vehicle-to-Everything pilot program can receive up to $4,500 off the price of GM Energy home products, such as its Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) Bundle, which includes a PowerShift EV charger and V2H Enablement Kit or the all-encompassing Home System, which includes bidirectional EV charging plus a GM Energy PowerBank, Home Hub, and Inverter.
GM Energy’s products also currently qualify for federal tax incentives, so PG&E customers can get a robust energy management setup complete with EV charging for upwards of $5,000 off. GM Energy Vice President Wade Sheffer spoke about these savings opportunities:
For Northern California customers looking to take more control of their home energy, this program with PG&E represents a great opportunity. For utilities, legislators, customers and others, this pilot is an opportunity to see the full value of our V2H technology beyond just providing power to a home during power outages. This can be a tool that helps overall grid resiliency and showcases the unique advantages of EVs while, in the future, may even reduce the overall total cost of EV ownership.
In exchange for the incentives, GM Energy and PG&E plan to study charging data from customers to evaluate the potential of bidirectional charging and its ability to support electrical grids by flushing excess energy from those storage devices (EVs, PowerBanks, etc) during peak energy demand.
The goal is to scale bidirectional c,harging installations to more PG&E customers and eventually throughout all of California to demonstrate the energy freedom and financial benefits it can provide to all customers. Mike Delaney, Vice President of utility partnerships and innovation at PG&E also spoke:
PG&E is leading the way to enable vehicle-grid-integration technology creating a path for EVs to power customer homes, ultimately benefiting all Californians. We are proud to continue leading this electric renaissance as we collaborate with automakers and some of the world’s top innovators to pioneer bidirectional charging technology where EVs have the potential to offer greater reliability, resiliency and cost savings.
To begin, the following GM EVs will be eligible for the V2X program, but the American automaker plans to add all 2025 model-year EVs soon:
You can learn more about the PG&E pilot program and bidirectional charging on GM Energy’s website and enroll here. GM also provided more details of the capabilities of its home energy management products in the video below:
Source: GM Energy
Electrek’s take
While this particular incentive program only applies to customers from one energy company in a single state, PG&E is a behemoth in California, and it’s encouraging to see it at least exploring the possibility of bidirectional charging enabling vehicle-to-grid capabilities.
Anyone who will lend an ear has heard me go on and on about how the energy companies should be shaking as more energy management power (and freedom from the grid) is being put into the hands of individual homeowners. I can easily imagine a world where most homeowners have an EV paired with solar panels on their roof and some sort of power bank in their garage. They can charge their vehicle and power their home during peak hours using free energy from the Sun and/or store it to sell back to energy companies via V2G.
Say you’re going out of town for a week and you know you won’t need your car or the energy you’ve gained from solar. Flush it back to the grid when everyone is home from work at night and booting up Netflix, and you’ll get some money back on your monthly bill!
It’s a no-brainer to me, and I see V2G as inevitable. That said, I feel most energy companies will fight tooth and nail to at least slow that transition down to maintain their energy monopolies as long as possible. That’s why it’s refreshing to see a company like PG&E at least open to possibility… especially since it’s an energy company that’s not exactly known for its moral fiber (see Erin Brockovich).
California often serves as a crystal ball into the future for the rest of the US, so this pilot program, albeit small, is a step forward in full-scale integration throughout the state and into additional ones. We must wait and see what the data brings before anything becomes a bonafide standard for energy customers. Still, this program does offer a sweet little taste of a future in which sustainable energy becomes widespread… not because it’s the right thing to do unfortunately, but because it will save everyone money.
Well, maybe not the energy companies, but they will continue to do just fine.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Build Your Dreams (BYD) is gearing up for what has the makings of an epic launch event this coming Monday. The Chinese automaker announced several incoming debuts coming early next week, including a new “BYD Super e-Platform,” described as a “new benchmark in electric.” What’s most interesting, however, is that BYD is teasing a new ultra-fast EV charger with up to 1,000 kW of power – that’s twice as powerful as the current best on the market.
Automotive conglomerate BYD is at it again, continuously showcasing its innovation and market expansion as a clear force that will not be ignored by the global automotive segment. In addition to several EV marques, including its new ultra-performance Yangwang brand, BYD develops and implements EV battery technology and EV charging infrastructure.
Earlier this week, BYD shared that Yangwang will be launching its new U7 sedan at an event held at the former’s headquarters in Shenzen, China, later this month. Before then, however, BYD is preparing for a launch event for its own namesake as early as this Monday at HQ.
According to a Weibo post from earlier today, BYD’s launch event on the 17th promises the debut of a new high-performance EV platform, the start of pre-sales of two new models, and an unveiling of new EV charger technology capable of up to 1,000 kW. Eat your heart out, Tesla. You, too, Electrify America.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
Source: BYD/Weibo
BYD to unveil 1,000 kW fast charging tech on 3/17
According to the Weibo Post from BYD, its next launch event will take place this coming Monday, March 17 at 7 PM Beijing time (7 AM EDT). The post was translated to English, but essentially promises the debut of its new “BYD Super e-Platform,” which will reinvent pure electric technology.
As reported by CnEVPost, an invitation to the event elaborated on the capabilities of the Super e-Platform, stating it will “use disruptive technology to completely solve the biggest headache in EV use.” That’s assumedly the charging process and how long even the fastest chargers still take in comparison to a gas station visit.
On that note, the BYD event also includes the debut of a new 1,000 kW EV fast charger. Per the post seen above:
1,000-kW flash charging that allows refueling and charging to have the same speed.
A 1,000 kW BYD fast charger would be a marvel and a potential game changer for EV adoption, doubling the power of current industry leaders like Tesla. The American automaker began rolling out its V4 Superchargers in North America in 2023, which are currently capable of 325 kW. However, Tesla has shared plans to boost those capabilities with 500 kW cabinets this year.
Even so, BYD is on the cusp of introducing EV charging capabilities that are double that prospective target, and it already has the technology out in the wild. CnEVPost also shared reports from several auto bloggers in China that captured images of what seems to be the new BYD charger, relaying that specifications listed on the pile support up to 1,000 volts and power of up to 1,000 kW.
BYD also intends to open pre-sales of its Han L and Tang L EVs at the same event. Because of this, there is speculation that both models will sit atop BYD’s Super e-Platform and support charging power of up to 1,000 kW.
We won’t know for sure until Monday, but this sounds like it will be an exciting one from BYD. Circle back to Electrek on Monday for a full recap.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Kia opened its new “Unplugged Ground” on Friday, a unique EV experience. The complex has Kia’s latest EVs, including the EV4, on display for visitors to meet and interact with.
Kia opens new Unplugged Ground EV experience
The Kia Unplugged Ground first opened in 2021 following the launch of its first dedicated electric vehicle, the EV6. It’s located in
Since then, Kia has revamped the brand with a new logo, branding, and sleek new styling. It has also introduced an entirely new generation of mass-market EVs that are now rolling out globally.
Kia introduced its first electric sedan, the EV4, earlier this year during its 2025 EV Day event (see our event recap). We also got our first look at the PV5, Kia’s first electric van, and the EV2, its smallest, cheapest model set to launch next year.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
These will join the three-row EV9, and smaller EV3 and EV5 electric SUVs in Kia’s wide-ranging lineup. As part of its “EVs for all” strategy, prices will range from under $30,000 to upwards of $80,000.
To coincide with the launch of the EV4, Kia transformed the EV experience center. The upgraded facility opened in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on Friday with a futuristic look and cool new interactive technology.
The EV experience center now displays Kia’s entire lineup, including the EV4, EV3, EV6, and EV9. Visitors can interact with the vehicles using Apple’s mixed reality headset Vision Pro, racing simulators, and more. They can even try out the EV9’s advanced driver assistance systems virtually.
Kia EV4 sedan (Source: Hyundai Motor)
Kia’s upgraded EV brand experience comes after it opened EV4 orders earlier this week in Korea. The EV4 starts at 41.92 million won, or roughly $29,000.
Kia EV4 Trim
Starting Price
Kia EV4 Standard Air
41.92 million won ($28,900)
Kia EV4 Standard Earth
46.69 million won ($32,000)
Kia EV4 Standard GT-Line
47.83 million won ($32,900)
Kia EV4 Long Range Air
46.29 million won ($31,800)
Kia EV4 Long Range Earth
51.04 million won ($35,000)
Kia EV4 Long Range GT-Line
51.04 million won ($35,900)
Kia EV4 prices in South Korea (Source: Hyundai Motor)
With a 58.3 kWh battery, the standard EV4 Air is rated with up to 237 miles (382 km) driving range. The long-range model, starting at 46.29 million won ($31,800), features an 81.4 kWh battery for up to 331 miles (533 km) range.
Later this year Kia will launch the electric sedan in the US, Europe, and other global markets. Maybe, we could get one of these futuristic EV experience centers, too?
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Rad Power Bikes has announced the appointment of Kathi Lentzsch as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership change as the company leans further into retail expansion and reduces its emphasis on direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales.
Earlier this week, Electrekbroke the news regarding Rad’s previous CEO Phil Molyneux’s sudden unannounced departure from the brand, whose sales once topped the US e-bike market but has since been eclipsed by a number of younger e-bike companies.
Lentzsch, described as a seasoned executive with experience in consumer-facing and business-to-business (B2B) companies, steps in at a critical moment as Rad transitions away from its D2C roots toward a stronger retail presence.
Lentzsch brings more than thirty years of leadership experience, having held executive roles at Bartell Drugs, Pottery Barn, Pier 1 Imports, and Cost Plus World Market. She played a key role in transforming brands, guiding companies through growth phases, and deepening customer engagement—an experience that should align with Rad’s push toward a more traditional retail model.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
“Rad Power Bikes is at an inflection point, shifting from a direct-to-consumer model to a more retail-focused approach, and it’s an incredible time to come on board,” said Lentzsch. “This shift creates new opportunities to reach more riders, strengthen customer relationships, and evolve the brand in meaningful ways. What drew me to Rad is its unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainable transportation, and, most importantly, putting riders first. I’m eager to work alongside this talented team to build on Rad’s strong foundation of producing great products and partnering with the best bike shops to bring those ebikes to riders, complete with a Rad Grin.”
Her appointment follows Rad Power Bikes’ recent moves to establish brick-and-mortar retail partnerships, a departure from its early days as a purely online D2C brand. The shift comes as the broader electric bike market matures, with more companies hoping to leverage the importance of in-person sales and service to reach mainstream customers.
Lentzsch previously served as CEO of Bartell Drugs, where she led the company through a pandemic-era transformation and an eventual merger with Rite Aid. Her leadership at Pottery Barn was instrumental in repositioning it as a premium home brand, while her tenure at Enesco helped earn the company a “World’s Best Workplace” distinction in 2015.
As Rad Power Bikes continues refining its retail strategy, the company is hoping that Lentzsch’s experience in brand evolution, strategic growth, and customer experience will position her to lead the company into its next phase. While Rad built its reputation as a direct-to-consumer powerhouse, this latest move signals a major strategy rethink to expand access to its e-bikes through physical stores and bike shop partnerships.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.