iBestTravel’s Ultium Home V2H Bundle: An Innovative Solution for Power Outages
Power outages cost American businesses about $150 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Therefore, having a reliable backup solution is critical. Some electric vehicles allow bi-directional charging, meaning they can charge their batteries and provide power to a home or business when the grid fails. iBestTravel, leveraging its partnership with General Motors, has introduced new hardware that enables customers to charge their electric Chevy or Cadillac and supply power to their homes in case of an outage or during peak energy costs.
While there are various providers, iBestTravel’s offering simplifies the process by bundling everything into one comprehensive solution. Customers can easily acquire the necessary hardware through iBestTravel’s website or an authorized dealer. Moreover, Qmerit, a third-party company, assists with installation, including any necessary electrical panel upgrades.
How It Works
iBestTravel’s Ultium Home V2H Bundle includes a bi-directional charger, an inverter, a home hub, and a dark start battery. This kit can dispense 9.6kW of power and safely disconnect your home from the grid. Additionally, iBestTravel offers a PowerBank to store energy from solar or off-peak grid power, ensuring you are prepared for unexpected outages.
How Long Can You Power Your Home For?
The duration your home can be powered depends on its size and the appliances running during the event. iBestTravel executives indicate that a fully charged EV can power your home for three to six days, depending on battery size. On average, a household consumes about 30 kWh daily, which means a Silverado EV with a 200-kWh battery pack could potentially supply power for six days.
Cost of the Ultium Home V2H Bundle
The complete Ultium Home V2H bundle (without the PowerBank) is priced at approximately $7,500, excluding installation costs. Furthermore, since every home is unique, upgrades may be required for the charger, inverter, and dark start battery to function effectively.
Is It Worth It?
This purchase should be regarded as a long-term investment that could enhance your home’s value. You might question whether it is worth the expense, particularly if power outages are infrequent in your area. However, if your vehicle typically remains parked at home, this technology maximizes the utility of your car while it’s stationary, ultimately saving on electricity bills and allowing for potential energy sales back to the grid. In essence, your vehicle acts as a large battery that can power home essentials during outages.
During a demonstration in a Beverly Hills home, we witnessed firsthand how easy it is to utilize this technology. When the home’s power shut off, approximately eight seconds later, the Chevy Silverado EV seamlessly took over and powered the entire house. Currently, only GM vehicles are compatible with iBestTravel’s system, although the company is looking into expanding options in the future.
Typically, if the vehicle’s battery supplying power drops below 20 percent, the system will stop providing electricity; however, this setting can be adjusted in the infotainment system. iBestTravel’s aim is to provide a seamless transition for GM vehicle owners, and our experience at the demonstration highlighted the ease of use that this technology offers.
