V2X Is an Important Resource for Power Outages

A dangerous heat wave gripped almost the entire eastern half of the United States this week, with dozens of new record high temperatures set across a huge swath of the country.

Nearly 160 million people were placed under heat alerts from eastern Texas to Maine, as temperatures rose as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit above seasonal averages.

Highs in the triple digits occurred along the East Coast, with temperatures in New York City and Washington, D.C., rivaling those in Death Valley, California. Temperatures over 95 degrees became widespread across the central and eastern United States.

Heat index values — a measure of what conditions felt like when humidity and air temperatures combined — soared well into the triple digits throughout the region, with some places reaching as high as 115 degrees. Power outages were widespread.

Heatwaves are One Cause of Power Outages

Power outages during heat waves are common, as soaring temperatures put immense strain on the electrical grid. When millions of people simultaneously crank up air conditioners to escape dangerous heat, demand often exceeds supply, leading utilities to implement rolling blackouts or causing unexpected system failures. Aging infrastructure, combined with extreme weather, further increases the risk of widespread outages. These blackouts not only leave residents sweltering without cooling but also pose serious risks to vulnerable populations, disrupt businesses, and strain emergency services already stretched thin by heat-related health emergencies.

EVs and V2X: The Answer to Power Outages

As extreme weather events intensify and power grids face increasing strain, communities around the world are seeking more resilient energy solutions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are often celebrated as a key tool in decarbonizing transportation, but a lesser-known superpower lies beneath some of their hoods: they can also help keep the lights on during power outages. Through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technologies, EVs are poised to transform from mere modes of transportation into critical energy assets, offering a new layer of security and flexibility to our power systems.

What are V2X, V2G and V2H?

Vehicle-to-Grid, or V2G, is a technology that allows an electric vehicle to not only draw power from the grid to charge its battery but also send electricity back to the grid when needed. By enabling this two-way flow of energy, V2G helps balance supply and demand on the electric grid, supports grid stability, and can even provide an additional revenue stream for EV owners who sell excess power during peak demand periods.

Vehicle-to-Home, known as V2H, focuses on using an EV as a backup power source for a home. Instead of feeding energy back to the wider grid, the car directly powers a house during outages or when electricity costs are high. This offers homeowners a reliable and clean alternative to traditional generators, keeping essential appliances and systems running smoothly when the main power supply is interrupted.

Vehicle-to-Everything, or V2X, is a broader term that encompasses both V2G and V2H, as well as other applications like Vehicle-to-Building and Vehicle-to-Load. It describes the ability of an EV to supply power to virtually any external system, whether it’s a grid, a residential home, a commercial building, or individual devices. V2X showcases the full versatility of EV batteries, turning them into flexible mobile energy resources that can help improve energy resilience, support renewable integration, and provide emergency backup in a variety of settings.

GM Energy’s V2H-Capable Bidirectional Charging

GM Energy’s Vehicle‑to‑Home (V2H) solution uses bidirectional charging to turn a compatible GM EV into a home backup power source. When paired with the GM Energy PowerShift Charger and Enablement Kit, the system allows energy to flow both from grid to car and from car back to home. In a blackout, the EV becomes a generator, supplying households with power—GM cites the 2024 Silverado EV First Edition RST capable of powering a home for up to 21 days under reduced usage conditions.

The V2H bundle includes everything homeowners need: a bidirectional charger, inverter, home hub, and dark‑start battery, typically sold as a package. Installation is handled by GM‑preferred provider Qmerit, which also assists with permits and connecting the system to local utility infrastructure .

Several GM EVs are equipped with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) bidirectional charging capabilities, allowing them to power homes during outages. These include the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, and the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq. Future models like the Cadillac Escalade IQ, Cadillac Optiq, and 2025 Silverado EV and Sierra EV are also expected to support V2H.

The system integrates with GM’s Energy Cloud software, offering smart energy management—homes can charge the EV during off‑peak hours and discharge during outages or high-cost periods. Pilot programs with utilities like PG&E are also exploring how V2H can evolve into broader V2G (Vehicle‑to‑Grid) and virtual power plant solutions to bolster grid resilience.

Octopus and BYD Announce UK’s First V2G Bundle with Free Charging

In a ground-breaking move set to redefine the electric driving experience, Octopus Energy — the UK’s largest energy supplier — and BYD — the world’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer — unveiled in June 2025 the Power Pack Bundle, the first-ever vehicle-to-grid (V2G) package for UK customers. Announced at Octopus Energy’s recent Energy Tech Summit, this affordable, all-in-one package offers a game-changing EV proposition that could transform the way we power both cars and the electricity grid.

World-first: EVs Power Grid During Outage in Australia Using V2G

In 2024, a significant benefit of EVs was highlighted during a major storm in Canberra, Australia, when a fleet of electric cars supplied power to the grid using Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. This event demonstrated the potential of EVs to provide emergency power during outages.

During the storm, the power supply to tens of thousands of homes was interrupted. In response, power was supplied from a fleet of vehicles’ batteries to the Australian electricity grid, showcasing the viability of V2G technology in enhancing grid resilience and stability.

Drivers Get Incentives for Using V2G: How ChargeScape Is Turning EVs Into Grid Assets

EVs help stabilize the grid, and drivers get paid to do it, thanks to ChargeScape, a joint venture from BMW, Ford, Honda, and Nissan. ChargeScape is turning EVs into mobile energy assets that can support the grid during critical periods. The idea is simple: use smart software to manage when and how EVs draw power—and even push power back to the grid using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.

ChargeScape’s platform connects EVs to utilities, allowing real-time adjustments in charging. For instance, during the late afternoon when energy demand peaks, the software can pause or slow down charging. This approach mirrors how smart thermostats briefly adjust air conditioning to ease grid load without noticeable impacts on comfort.

But ChargeScape’s ambitions don’t stop there. In California, it recently announced a major partnership with energy platform Leap to launch the country’s largest EV virtual power plant. This initiative doesn’t just shift when cars charge—it can actually draw power from EV batteries and feed it back into the grid, directly reducing strain and preventing blackouts.

In exchange for their flexibility, EV drivers are rewarded. In Sacramento, for example, BMW EV owners receive a $150 sign-up incentive through BMW’s ChargeForward program and an additional $20 each quarter. With full bidirectional power-sharing, drivers can earn up to $3,000 annually. Some utilities even offer up to $4,000 to help offset the cost of bidirectional charging hardware, says ChargeScape CEO Joseph Vellone.

Crucially, drivers don’t have to worry about waking up to a dead battery. “We might shift your charging by about 30 minutes overnight,” says Alexander Schleicher, BMW’s head of e-mobility strategy. Drivers always have control, specifying exactly when they need a full charge.

Where it stands: While still early, ChargeScape is already partnering with around a dozen utilities, covering 25 million U.S. households. Ford reports 3,000 customers enrolled so far, while BMW has about 10,000—roughly 10% of its EV drivers.

As the grid modernizes and EV adoption grows, ChargeScape represents a win-win: drivers save money, the grid becomes more resilient, and we move closer to a cleaner, more efficient energy future.

V2X Will Play a Larger Role Solving Power Outages

According to the latest report from Kelley Blue Book, new US EV sales enjoyed an increase of 11.4% year over year in the first quarter of 2025. As EV adoption grows, V2X and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology will play an increasingly important role in managing power outages and supporting grid stability.

With more V2X-enabled electric vehicles on the road, there will be a massive, distributed network of batteries capable of storing and supplying energy when it’s needed most. During outages, these EVs can provide emergency backup power to homes, buildings, or even feed electricity back into the grid to help restore services faster and reduce strain on utility infrastructure.

Beyond simply serving as backup generators, V2G-enabled EVs can help utilities better manage peak demand and integrate more renewable energy by absorbing excess power when supply is high and discharging it during shortages. This transforms EVs from passive energy consumers into active, flexible energy resources that strengthen overall grid resilience.

In June 2025, Zach Woogen, Executive Director of the Vehicle-Grid Integration Council (VGIC) reported that In a historic move, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) has unanimously adopted the United States’ first comprehensive set of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Interconnection Rules.

As more automakers incorporate bidirectional charging capabilities and policies such as Maryland’s groundbreaking regulations evolve to support these services, V2X will become a crucial tool in creating a cleaner, more reliable, and more resilient energy future. It represents a shift toward a truly interactive energy system, where drivers not only benefit from cleaner mobility but also help power and protect their communities.

Climate Change Driving Heatwaves, EVs are One of the Answers

Human-caused global climate change is driving more frequent and intense heatwaves, such as America’s heatwave this week, placing unprecedented stress on power grids and public health systems worldwide. As temperatures soar, the demand for electricity spikes, often leading to outages that leave communities vulnerable during the hottest and most dangerous times. Electric vehicles (EVs), equipped with advanced battery technology and bidirectional charging capabilities, offer a promising solution to this challenge.

Because EVs offer zero emissions and are the most eco-friendly transportation, increased EV adoption reduces the effects of climate change, including heatwaves. EVs are also the most cost-effective transportation over time. Through all of these benefits, including V2X, EVs are changing transportation and the power grid forever, bringing a more cost-effective, cleaner, brighter, and safer future.