General Motors (GM) has officially stepped into the battery energy storage system (BESS) market with comprehensive layouts covering lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery technologies, alongside upgraded vehicle-to-grid (V2G) solutions, joining fellow automaker Ford in tapping the fast-growing energy storage industry.
The US automotive giant is set to kick off the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries within one month via its long-term partnership with LG Energy Solution. The two parties have independently developed Ultium Cells, a customized LFP cell technology that will serve as the core component of GM’s new energy storage products.
Beyond mature LFP batteries, GM launched a dedicated sodium-ion research and development program in collaboration with domestic BESS manufacturer Peak Energy. The company regards sodium-ion chemistry as a pivotal technology that will define the future of grid-scale energy storage, and relevant R&D work will be conducted at its battery research center located in Warren, Michigan.
GM has already made tangible progress in the second-life battery storage sector. Teaming up with Redwood Materials, the automaker has deployed approximately 10,000 recycled EV batteries into energy infrastructure projects, including the AI data center operated by Crusoe in Sparks, Nevada. Starting next year, GM will install around 100 second-life battery packs at its Michigan facility, delivering 7.2 MWh of adjustable power and cutting over $3 million in electricity expenses throughout the project’s lifespan.
In addition to stationary energy storage, GM prioritizes the bidirectional charging function for its complete vehicle lineup, covering mainstream brands Chevy and Cadillac, and plans to make bidirectional capability a fundamental standard for all its models. Its ongoing V2G technology development centers on software optimization. Currently, GM is finalizing cooperation terms and grid connection protocols with power utilities nationwide and calling for more US utility companies to participate in its V2G ecosystem.
Several landmark V2G projects are already in progress. In Northern California, GM cooperates with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to build a V2G fleet, aiming to equip 130,000 GM electric vehicles and enable over 52,000 units to provide grid-balancing services by 2030. The firm is also conducting targeted V2G tests with DTE Energy in Michigan.
