Silverado EV Demonstration Highlights GM's Innovative Energy Solutions, Powering Mansion

May 10, 2024 11:07 PM EDT

CHEVY TRUCK CHEVY SILVERADO — (Photo : PIXABAY/TheForgetfulPhotographer)

General Motors introduces a fresh lineup of energy solutions enabling power sharing between a vehicle and home. The cutting-edge demonstration showcased Chevy Silverado EV's V2H capability. It provided backup power to a luxurious Beverly Hills Mansion. The event highlights GM's innovation in bidirectional charging technologies.

Chevy Silverado EV Lights Up Beverly Hills Mansion

According to reporting by Electrek, General Motors extended an invitation to attendees for a showcase at an upscale Beverly Hills residence, unveiling the latest in-home energy solutions. One notable demonstration featured the Chevy Silverado EV seamlessly supplying backup power to the mansion through its V2H capabilities.

Highlighted during the event were GM's cutting-edge bidirectional EV charger, known as the GM Energy Powershift Charger, and the GM Energy V2H Enablement Kit. These innovative products, available for individual purchase or as a combined package, incorporate advanced components such as an AC-DC inverter, Home Hub for efficient load management, and a dark start battery for smooth transitions between home and vehicle power sources.

To streamline the installation process, General Motors has established a partnership with Qmerit, a prominent national EV charging installation company, ensuring customers have access to professional installers. The showcased products, including the GM Energy Powershift Charger and the GM Energy V2H Enablement Kit, offer customers versatile options for enhancing their home energy setup.

The bidirectional EV charger, priced at $1,699, allows for seamless power flow between the vehicle and home, providing flexibility and efficiency in energy usage. On the other hand, the GM Energy V2H Enablement Kit, priced at $5,600, includes essential components like an AC-DC inverter, Home Hub for centralized load management, and a dark start battery for uninterrupted power supply during transitions.

Customers have the choice to acquire these systems separately or opt for a bundled solution at $7,299, offering comprehensive energy management capabilities. As installation costs can vary widely.

How This Power Backup Works

As reported by Electrek, General Motors arranged its setup and unveiled two new Silverado vehicles to showcase their V2L and V2H functionalities. One Silverado was linked to the outdoor audio system and display, streaming the presentation GM provided on its offerings, while the other was connected to the residence to illustrate the transition from home to vehicle power with the V2H technology.

Electrek detailed its observations from the demo, where General Motors switched off the main breaker for the residence, illustrating the process of the vehicle taking control. This transition process lasted approximately 35 seconds, which although longer than some battery backup alternatives, proved faster than the inconvenience of being left in darkness, fumbling for a flashlight, attempting to reset switches in the breaker box fruitlessly, and ultimately resigning to a night lit by candlelight.

Upon completion of the seamless transition, the entire event venue was powered by the truck. The truck provided power for the lighting and music in the garage, as well as throughout the house and kitchen.

Innovative Energy Solution from GM

Car and Driver also covered this recent advancement in their reporting. The General Motors division is now promoting a bidirectional charging system known as V2H (vehicle-to-home). Similar to Ford's offering for the F-150 Lightning electric pickup, GM Energy has introduced a solution that can seamlessly transition a household from grid electricity to power supplied by an EV-assuming the EV is present at home and connected to the system.

The process begins with the GM Energy PowerShift Charger, which GM EV owners can purchase independently for standard Level 2 home-to-vehicle charging. To activate the V2H functionality, users need to acquire the appropriately named V2H Enablement Kit, comprising a power inverter, a home hub, and a dark start battery.