The Ford F-150 Lightning is already a hit show. This all-electric Ford has just commenced its production, but is already out of stock! We aren't shocked as this electric truck from a legacy automaker dilates pupils with the sheer number of features on offer. And the most anticipated feature o them all is the ability to use the F-150 Lightning as a power backup generator for your home (now that's a very cool-looking generator!).
Utilizing Ford's bi-directional charging tech, owners have the option to light their homes up during emergencies or power outrages. To enjoy this, users need to install Ford's Home Integration System which also requires a Ford F-150 Lightning truck (of course!), Ford's Charge Station Pro, and a few other hardware bits as pre-requisites.
But the missing piece of this puzzle was the cost of the integration system, which has finally been unveiled by Matthew Stover, Ford's director of Charging and Energy Services. Ford has joined hands with Sunrun to be their official installation partner for the home integration system. It isn't as costly as we expected, but the "total bill" ain't cheap either. Well, it's complicated, and we tell you how much the whole setup will cost, from scratch.
We finally get an insight into how much it would cost to use the Ford F-150 Lightning as a backup inverter generator for your home.
Sunrun's Home Integration Hardware Will Cost $3,895
Sunrun is Ford's official installation partner for the Home Integration hardware. These are the same dudes that take care of the Tesla Powerwall installation as well. The Ford Home Integration system will set you back $3,895. This was said by Ford's charging and energy services director, Matt Stover, in a now-selected LinkedIn post.
You will get an inverter, a transfer switch, and a small battery for this price. But this bundle is just half the story as you need other Ford goodies to get it up and functional. Another interesting aspect is that Sunrun is assuring the compatibility of its solar panels if integrated into the system. This can not only provide juice to run the house but can also go the other way to charge up the truck.
Requirements And Working Of The Sunrun's Ford-powered Back-Up System
The Home Integration System requires Ford's Charge Station Pro to work. It also needs a bi-directional home charging station to help the 80 amp Station Pro to transfer electricity. Owners with the F-150 Lightning Extended Range battery pack will have no issues, but the base trim owners will have to shell out an additional $1,310 for the Charge Station Pro. But despite the additional costs, Ford's generator system is still cheaper than a gas generator.
The guys at Sunrun will take care of the installation work, which for the record, has additional costs. After installing all the bits, the system works just like any other backup generator, but instead of a tiny box, you now have a cool pick-up that provides the juice. Up to 9.6 kW of power can be provided through the home integration system. It will have an automatic cut-off system to help conserve electricity and flip things around when power is restored.
Home Integration System Can Power Through Outrages For Up To 10 Days
Using the long-range F-150 Lightning, you can light things up at home during a calamity or power outrage for up to ten days, if used conservatively. And if used lavishly with a 30 kWh usage per day quota, it can still do three days. This system can also help ease the load on the national power grid and outrages by using the F-150 Lightning.
Also, homes located at challenging or cut-off terrains can utilize this bit of Ford's smartness to live peacefully. Ford owners can monitor the charging status, control the transfer of power to the house, and even set their cut-off limits via the Ford Pass application. It gets as convenient as possible.
Much Cheaper Than Tesla's Dedicated Powerwall
The only rivaling technology that comes to mind is Tesla Powerwall. While technically it doesn't use a car to power things up, it's for the same cause. The Tesla Powerwall hardware alone including the battery pack will cost $12,750 in 2022. And then the installation charging bundle up on top of this. The Powerwall has a 14.4 kWh unit that holds just 1/10th of the capacity as compared to the Ford Home Integration System using a long-range F-150 Lightning.
Talking of which, the extended-range model packs 580 hp and is capable of 775 lb-ft of torque. It also offers an EPA-estimated range of 300 miles. The standard F-150 Lightning with 452 hp can also be used, but it will keep the lights lit for less duration as it has an EPA estimation of 320 miles.
Total Installation Cost Of F-150 Lightning Home Integration System Can Touch $15,000
While the Ford Home Integration System hardware costs $3,895; the complete installation will set you back around $12,000-15,000, that's if you opt to not use the adaptable solar panels from Sunrun. The cost can vary abruptly because installation costs depend on the home structure and location. But every factor includes, Ford's system will still be cheaper than Tesla's.
And if you have plans on integrating Sunrun's solar panels too, then get ready to shell an additional $16,000 and upwards. The technology is new and enlightening, and if Ford enables its complete EV fleet including the likes of Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit van to work in tandem with this Home Integration System, then things will turn out to be revolutionary.
Sources: Media.ford.com, Sunrun.com, Cleantechnica.com, Insideevs.com