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Need backup power? Automakers want you to use their vehicles in your driveway
AP News • • business
Key Points:
- Ford has introduced a system for certain F-150 hybrid and electric models that allows drivers to connect their vehicles directly to their home electric meters, providing backup power during outages by powering selected home circuits.
- This vehicle-to-home power solution offers a more affordable alternative to traditional generators and standby systems, with installation costs starting around $1,100, and can supply power for two to five days depending on the vehicle and usage.
- Other automakers like Kia, Tesla, and General Motors are also expanding vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid technologies, enabling EV owners to use their vehicles for home backup power and grid support.
- The push into home energy integration is partly driven by slowing U.S. EV sales and increasing demand for grid resiliency amid more frequent power outages, making these technologies a valuable asset for automakers and consumers alike.
- Challenges remain, including regulatory approvals, safety testing, and consumer education on managing these systems, but experts predict growing popularity and significant opportunities in the vehicle-to-home energy market.
