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With Home Backup Power, the Ford F-150 Lightning Becomes a Giant Powerbank, Ensuring Energy for Homes in Critical Moments
The Ford F-150 is synonymous with robustness and innovation in the pickup world. Now, with its 100% electric version, the F-150 Lightning, the American automaker raises the concept of versatility by introducing the Ford Home Backup Power, a feature that allows the truck to provide power to an entire house in case of power outage. Still unavailable to the Brazilian public, Ford is exploring the possibility of bringing this revolutionary technology to Brazil, according to CNN Brazil.
Power and Autonomy: Energy for Days
The major differentiator of the F-150 Lightning is its ability to act as a backup power source for homes. Equipped with an extended-range battery, the vehicle can power a house for up to three days, or even up to ten days with rational energy use, according to Ford. This feature is made possible thanks to the Ford Charge Station Pro, a special 80-amp charging station that comes with the 2023 versions with extended-range batteries.
For the versions with standard range batteries or 2024 models, the Ford Charge Station Pro must be purchased separately, at a cost of US$ 1,310 (about R$ 7,200), and activating the Home Backup Power software requires an additional fee.
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How the Backup Energy System Works
To use Home Backup Power, the owner needs to install the Home Integration System in their home, allowing the F-150 Lightning to provide electricity efficiently. In the United States, Ford has partnered with Sunrun, a company that co-developed the technology, to install the equipment. However, owners have the freedom to choose any company for the installation, as long as they purchase the Home Integration System hardware directly from Sunrun’s website.
The truck also allows the owner to set up an energy reserve, ensuring that power supply to the home is interrupted before the F-150’s battery reaches a critical level, leaving a residual charge so that the vehicle can be recharged at a location with available electricity.
Investment and Infrastructure
The cost to equip a home with this technology can be significant. In addition to the investment in the Ford Charge Station Pro, the Home Integration System can cost around US$ 3,895 (approximately R$ 21,300), according to Tom Moloughney, an expert from InsideEVs. Depending on the complexity of the electrical installation of the home, this amount can increase, especially in older houses that may require upgrades to the electrical system.
Moloughney reports that, in his personal experience, it was necessary to replace part of the electrical installation in his home and even a transformer on the street pole to accommodate Ford’s system. Adding up all costs, the investment can exceed 10% of the value of the F-150 Lightning itself.
In addition to Home Backup Power, all versions of the F-150 Lightning come equipped with Ford Pro Power Onboard, a system that offers 11 outlets in the truck bed. This feature allows the truck to provide power to tools, equipment, and even small setups, such as cabins, offering a practical solution for those who need power in remote locations.
Competition: BYD and the VtoL System
In Brazil, BYD offers a similar functionality in its electric vehicles, called VtoL (Vehicle to Load), which allows extracting energy from the car’s battery to power external electronic devices. Although this system cannot power an entire house for several days, it can be useful in emergencies, providing a partial solution to power shortages.
The Ford F-150 Lightning, with its combination of power, versatility, and technology, demonstrates that the future of electric pickups goes far beyond the road, bringing new possibilities for everyday life and positioning itself as an innovative solution to the energy challenges of the modern world.
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