2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford
Ford Motor will partner with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. in California to evaluate the bi-directional charging capabilities of the electric F-150 Lightning to power homes and return energy to the grid.
Ford CEO Jim Farley and PG&E CEO Patty Poppe announced the plans Thursday night at the CERAWeek energy conference in Texas.
Bi-directional charging includes the ability of an electric vehicle to return power to the home or grid, reverse charging the vehicle from the home and the grid. Electric vehicles can charge at night when fares are low and potentially return energy to the grid during peak hours. This will allow customers to save money on their energy bills and put less strain on the grid.
The announcement comes two days after Poppe announced a pilot program with General Motors to make its electric vehicles capable of powering a home in the event of a power outage or grid failure.
Ford’s announcement differs from GM’s announcement because it is “the first on the market to be able to use a Ford F-150 Lightning electric vehicle and a bi-directional charging system,” a company spokesperson said.
Due out this spring, the F-150 Lightning can already power a home in the event of a power outage, the company says. Ford calls it “Intelligent Standby Power”.
As part of its early adopter program, PG&E will study how Ford’s technology interacts with the power grid and customers’ homes, the company said.
The first use of the F-150 Lightning’s standby power is expected to begin in the spring with support from Sunrun Inc. as an automaker’s preferred installation partner.