How the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Can Power Your Home for Days
The Ford F-150 Lightning, an all-electric pickup truck, is one of the more exciting vehicles slated for delivery in 2022. The first reservation window for customers has already closed, and Ford had to nearly double its production to try and meet the demand. One potentially appealing feature is Ford’s Intelligent Backup Power: In conjunction with an optional 80-amp charging station and additional equipment, IBP can power a home for up to three days of estimated normal usage or 10 days of rationed usage. Given the frequency of winter storms and the state of America’s power grids, this sort of capability could prove quite useful for some.
How will it work? Ford put out an explainer today, which we break down below.
Related: Electric Outage: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Reservations Full, Maverick Hybrid Sold Out
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What You’ll Need for the Lightning’s Intelligent Backup Power
1. Ford F-150 Lightning
It’s pretty self-explanatory: You can’t power your home with an F-150 Lightning without, well, having an F-150 Lightning.
2. Ford Charge Station Pro
The 80-amp version of Ford’s in-home charging station comes standard with the extended-range version of the Lightning, and it’s optional with the standard-range version. It’s a necessary part of this equation.
3. Home Integration System
This system is sold and installed by Sunrun, a solar energy company, in partnership with Ford. It’s similar to the setup you’d need to have solar panels power your home. The system includes a power inverter, “dark start” battery (which enables the battery to operate without the need for a power grid) and transfer switch. Where feasible, Sunrun can also install solar panels at your home.
4. A Power Outage
We don’t really wish for you to experience this, but it’s a necessary part of the scenario, too.
What Happens
Once everything is properly installed and your F-150 Lightning is plugged into the Charge Station Pro, if a power outage occurs, the Lightning can automatically reverse its power flow and send electricity back into your home.
Ford estimates that the truck’s extended-range battery pack can power a home for up to three days of regular usage at approximately 30 kilowatt-hours per day, or up to 10 days with rationing (i.e., reduced electrical consumption and possibly even stopping the Lightning from powering the home when it’s unnecessary) and additional solar-power generation capabilities.
Additional Possibilities
Ford says it plans on adding additional capabilities to Intelligent Backup Power, such as using the truck to power your home while electricity rates are high and then charging it again when rates decrease.
More From Cars.com:
- 6 Ways the All-Electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Isn’t Like Other F-150s
- Up Close With the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning: Substance Over Style
- Ford Amps Up F-150 Lightning Production to Meet Demand
- What’s New With Electric Vehicles for 2022?
- We Charged a Ford Mustang Mach-E With an F-150
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