GM Energy launches Ultium Home charging with 3 bundles, vehicle-to-home capabilities
Eight months after sharing details of its new GM Energy business unit, General Motors has shared the first product specifications for its lineup of Ultium Home charging solutions designed for residential EV owners. The company will initially offer three distinct home energy management bundles, including capabilities for vehicle-to-home functionality and solar installations.
As one of the world’s largest automakers, GM has used the global burgeoning of EV adoption to not only remain relevant but to eventually become the industry leader. CEO Mary Barra has repeatedly shared GM’s intentions to dethrone longtime EV sales leader Tesla by mid-decade, but the American automaker has delivered slower progress than anticipated.
Just recently, Barra cited battery production (or lack thereof) as an inhibitor to growth in its EV lineup but said “it will be dramatically different” next year. Like rival Tesla, GM is developing and implementing several new business entities that will operate adjacent to EV manufacturing.
For example, GM continues to expand its Ultium Charge 360 network, which is soon to include a new network of coast-to-coast DC fast chargers across 500 Pilot and Flying J travel stations.
Last October, we learned that the Ultium Charge 360 network would be repositioned under a new business unit called GM Energy, which also includes holistic energy management solutions for both homes and businesses.
Today, GM Energy has shared the first product details of its Ultium Home products, which will consist of three separate bundles designed to suit the different energy needs of future GM EV drivers.
Ultium Home looks to give GM EV owners energy freedom
Per GM Energy, the three bundles arrive as the first energy solutions available to residential customers under the new Ultium Home product line. With them, GM hopes to provide EV owners with energy independence and resilient backup power to alleviate dependency on the local grid.
As you’ll see below, one of the key features of GM Energy’s new Ultium Home bundles is vehicle-to-home (V2H) capabilities. By installing a specific kit paired with a GM EV with bidirectional charging abilities, homeowners will soon be able to power their homes using their vehicle, whether during a climate emergency or peak grid hours.
GM’s new PowerBank can also pair with the V2H kit to enable additional stationary storage in addition to your EV’s battery pack, whether that excess energy is coming from the grid or solar panels on your roof. Speaking of which, GM Energy states future Ultium Home customers will also have the opportunity to have the sustainable tech installed atop their residences with the help of SunPower – GM Energy’s exclusive provider.
Below, you can see how the first three initial Ultium Home bundles have been organized.
- Ultium Home V2H Bundle
- GM PowerShift Charger
- Up to 19.2 kW charge speeds (AC)
- Enables vehicle-to-home (V2H) bi-directional charging with a compatible GM EV and V2H Enablement Kit (see below)
- V2H Enablement Kit
- Inverter, home hub, and dark start battery
- 9.6 kW of discharge power
- Safely disconnects the home from the grid
- GM PowerShift Charger
- Ultium Home Energy System
- GM PowerShift Charger (see details above)
- V2H Enablement Kit (details above)
- GM PowerBank
- Ultium Home’s stationary storage unit
- Connects to V2H Enablement Kit to extend backup capability and store solar or grid energy
- Available in 10.6 kWh (5 kW) and 17.7 kWh (7 kW) variants
- Ultium Home Energy Storage Bundle
- GM PowerBank
- Inverter and home hub
The company states that all of the new Ultium Home products will connect to one another via the GM Energy Cloud, allowing its owners to monitor and manage their energy usage and how that energy is dispersed across the Ultium products. GM Energy vice president Wade Sheffer spoke to the new product lineup rolling out:
As GM Energy’s ecosystem of connected products and services continues to expand, we’re excited to provide customers with options for greater energy management beyond the vehicle. Our initial Ultium Home offerings represent an opportunity for customers to take greater control over their personal energy independence and resiliency.
As you may have noticed, one very important detail left out by GM Energy today is pricing. All the energy unit has said so far is, “MSRP and timeline for delivery for each of Ultium Home’s initial product bundles will vary.” We’ve asked for more details but have yet to hear back.
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With its tire-blistering acceleration and record-setting performance, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been getting attention throughout the auto industry, impressing everyone who’s seen it. That “everyone” now seems to include the OG supercar brand, itself.
CarNewsChina posted pictures from a Weibo user that reportedly show a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra exiting the storied Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. According to a Chinese blogger going by 西米露在博洛尼亚 (which seems to translate to “Sago Dessert in Bologna”), the prancing horse brand is actively benchmarking the Chinese hypercar for its own upcoming EV.
The SU7 Ultra was definitely coming from inside Ferrari’s facility. After verification, we learned this specific vehicle was officially purchased by Ferrari for testing, and the development of their next-generation electric platform.
Yet another Chinese auto blogger, 苏黎世贝勒爷, claims that Ferrari representatives visited Xiaomi headquarters last year, allegedly to discuss the joint development of next-generation high-performance EV motors.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra made its debut last year, promising 1,548 hp, sub 2.0-second 0-60 mph times, and a top speed well over 200 mph – all at a price lower than a Tesla Model S Plaid or Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. The car sold out almost immediately after it was unveiled, racking up some 50,000 orders almost overnight.
The new electric benchmark
In the automotive world, “benchmarking” is a process in which car companies systematically tear down each others’ competitive products to compare everything from sound insulation, vehicle ride and handling, component materials, and even manufacturing methods against their own or against other industry leaders. The goal is to evaluate performance, cost, quality, and other key metrics, effectively figuring out “where they stand” in the market.
If Ferrari really did buy an SU7 to benchmark it against their own upcoming electric supercar, it’s more than just a curiosity – it could mean that the highest tiers of automotive innovation have shifted from West to East. Maybe forever.
Featured image via Xiaomi; sources throughout the post.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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We’re finally getting our first teases of the upgraded 2027 Chevy Bolt, built on GM’s battery/motor platform formerly known as Ultium. So far, so good for the vehicle, which will be revealed later this Fall.
Chevy took to social media today to tease the 2027 Chevy Bolt, saying, “You asked, we listened. The #ChevyBolt is back and better than ever. More this fall. 👀”
Chevy ended the original Bolt program with the 2023 model, which was loved by a loyal group of customers (including myself). Some of the major gripes, including charging speed and rear brake lights, already look to be addressed. Also, a new more aggressive fascia is debuting.
Electrek’s take
GM has done an incredible job keeping the 2027 Bolt under wraps. It will be the first GM vehicle with a native NACS port after the Cadillac Optiq-V, which we spied in Seattle last week.
Hopefully, the new Bolt will have improved charging speeds over and above the 54kW that previous Bolts adhered to. One possible downgrade is that the old Bolt’s amazing wireless CarPlay/Android Auto system will likely be replaced by GM’s move to Android’s built-in experience. For a few years, the Chevy Bolt was the most affordable long-range EV, and it won our 2022 Electrek car of the year for its versatility and price.
I would, of course, like to see the new Bolt as a hot hatchback, but GM CEO Mary Barra has hinted that it will likely take more of the EUV’s SUV form factor. Things like AWD options, SuperCruise, pricing, power and range are yet to be revealed, but stay tuned to Electrek for the latest on Bolt developments.
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On today’s test-acular episode of Quick Charge, it’s a new day and a new Chinese ADAS test for Tesla to conquer – but this one’s got a LOT more pedestrian carnage to parse through! We’ve also got some great e-bike deals from Retrospec and a bladder-busting Hyundai.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec – the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure! To that end, we’ve got a pair of Retrospec e-bike reviews followed up by the updated Hyundai IONIQ 6 with nearly 350 miles of range from its updated long-range battery. With that, Hyundai now has the longest range Korean EV on the market, while Texas is adding megawatts of battery energy storage to beef up its troubled grid, and it’s doing so faster and cheaper than ever before.
Plus: Quick Charge listeners can get an extra 10% off the price of their next awesome e-bike by using code ELECTREK10 at retrospec.com!
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
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