Often when there are stories involving a storm and a vehicle the news is usually tragic, but that wasn’t the case in February 2021. When Texas was hit with a late winter storm few people were prepared. Thousands of homes were without power, which can be a deadly situation. However, people who owned hybrid Ford F-150s weren’t worried.
The hybrid F-150 has a special feature called PowerBoost. It’s essentially a built-in generator. During the 2021 winter storm people used the PowerBoost feature like a portable generator to power their homes. With an extension cord people were able to hook up their hybrid Ford F-150s to get 7.2 kWh of power. That was enough for some Texans to keep electricity flowing to essentials like lights and the refrigerator for three days.
In June 2022 the first all-electric Ford F-150 Lightnings began hitting the streets. The novelty created a lot of buzz, but our minds were on the winter storm a little more than a year before. We wondered, could the all-electric Lightning also power a home in a pinch?
ELECTRIFYING INFORMATION: Will an EV Add to Your Electric Bill?
Can the All-Electric Ford F-150 Lightning Power a House Through a Storm?
After the success of the hybrid version, Ford decided to release an all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. But the PowerBoost feature is exclusive to the automaker’s hybrid motors. Instead, the electric Lightning trucks have what’s called Pro Power Onboard. It’s an onboard generator that can produce 2.4 kWh of electricity. If you want more power you can upgrade to the stronger 9.6 kWh generator.
So the short answer is yes, the all-electric Ford Lightning can serve as a backup generator if a winter storm were to hit this year. It’s even better for the job than the hybrid F-150 if you have the upgraded Pro Power Onboard system.
The best part for drivers is that the new Lightning looks and drives like any other Ford F-150. It has the same level of driving capabilities as F-150s with gas engines, including the ability to haul over 2,200 pounds. You’d never know that it has an all-electric motor and generator hidden under the hood. The only give away is how fast the Lightning is compared to other traditional trucks.
Many people are hesitant to make the switch to an electric vehicle because they’re worried about costs. If you want to get a dedicated whole house generator for the house, buying an all-electric Lightning can actually help. You’ll be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which is plenty enough for a house generator.
Make sure you have a reliable power supply for your electric Ford F-150 Lightning. Check out the available plans from Spark Energy to compare rates and features before signing up. The best part is you don’t have to choose between gas and electric – we offer both!
Switching and saving is easy with Spark Energy!
