Need backup power? Automakers want you to look no further than their vehicles in your driveway - AP News

What the report says

The Associated Press reports that automakers are increasingly marketing vehicles as sources of home backup power, using electric and hybrid technology to reach customers concerned about outages and rising strain on the grid. The story opens with Kenneth Kovar of New Braunfels, Texas, who sought a backup option after Winter Storm Uri in 2021 exposed vulnerabilities in local power systems and affected his home’s septic setup.

Ford’s latest offering lets owners of certain F-150 PowerBoost hybrid and F-150 Lightning electric pickups connect the truck to a home through a 240-volt onboard outlet, a short adapter, a longer cable and a transfer switch installed at the electric meter. AP reports the homeowner can then choose which circuits to power. Ford says a Lightning may supply electricity for two to three days depending on usage, while a PowerBoost Hybrid can last up to five days on one tank of gas. The company says the outage-only system starts at about $1,100, excluding the broader costs and requirements of professional installation.

The report places Ford’s product within a wider push by automakers including Kia, Tesla and General Motors to build vehicle-to-home and eventually vehicle-to-grid services. Some systems can support homes during blackouts, reduce utility use during peak demand or participate in utility reliability programs when proper hardware and grid approvals are in place.

AP notes the opportunity comes as U.S. EV sales have slowed and as automakers look for ways to use investments in electrification. Challenges remain, including safety testing, utility interconnection approvals, compatible equipment and the need for homeowners to manage how much power their vehicles can safely provide.