Ford has rolled out a new meter-connected backup power setup for certain F-150 PowerBoost and Lightning trucks, letting owners run selected home circuits during outages for about $1,100 plus installation.
The push reflects a broader auto-industry bid to turn EV investments into home-energy businesses as grid strain and blackouts grow and U.S. pure EV sales fell 23.8% in the first half of 2026.
More than 630,000 U.S. vehicles already have some vehicle-to-home or vehicle-to-grid capability, with Kia, Tesla and GM also expanding systems that can power homes, cut utility use or support grid programs.
Ford says a Lightning can supply power for two to three days and a PowerBoost hybrid for up to five days, but its latest outage-only setup currently works with about 200,000 vehicles.
Wider adoption still faces safety testing, utility approvals and interconnection delays that can take years, even as experts see backup power as a growing selling point for EVs and hybrids.
Will automakers' push into home energy create a new class of energy-rich EV owners and leave others behind?
As your car powers your home, are you saving money or just accelerating a costly battery replacement?
With millions of cars becoming mobile power stations, what prevents a cyberattack from destabilizing the national grid?
U.S. Electric Vehicle Market 2026: Navigating the "EV Winter" and the Rise of Bidirectional Charging
Overview
In July 2026, the US electric vehicle industry faces a unique paradox: while the market for pure electric vehicles is experiencing a significant downturn, there is rapid progress in bidirectional charging technology. This innovation allows energy to flow both into and out of EV batteries, turning vehicles into mobile energy assets that can support homes and the grid. Major automakers are actively preparing for widespread adoption of this technology, aiming to enhance energy resilience and create new value for consumers. Despite market challenges, these advancements signal a shift toward integrating EVs more deeply into the energy ecosystem.