Ford Motors is looking to evaluate the possibility of the electric F-150 Lightning to power homes and return energy to the power grid.
Ford Motors announced earlier today that it has partnered with Pacific Gas and Electric Co (PG&E).
The partnership will see the companies work together to evaluate the possibility of the electric F-150 Lightning to power homes and return energy to the power grid.
PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and Ford CEO Jim Farley made their plans known at the ongoing CERAWeek energy conference in Texas.
An electric vehicle can return energy to the power grid or to a home, a feature known as bidirectional charging. This differs from the home and grid charging a vehicle.
Electric vehicles can charge at night when the energy rates are low and could then provide energy back to the grid during busy hours. This phenomenon enables customers to save money on their power bills and reduce the strain on the grid.
This latest development comes two days after PG&E’s CEO announced a pilot program with General Motors. The program will see the two companies make GM’s electric vehicles capable of powering a home if there is a power outage or grid failure.
However, a PG&E spokeswoman said Ford’s announcement differs from GM’s since it is the first-to-market enablement of a Ford F-150 Lightning EV and bidirectional charging system.
The F-150 Lightning will be launched in the spring and is expected to have the capability to power or home if there is a power outage. According to Ford, F-150 Lightning is an Intelligent Backup Power.
PG&E is set to look into how Ford’s technology relates to the electric grid and customers’ homes.
According to PG&E, the initial use of F-150 Lightning’s backup power is set to start in spring. The operation will be supported by Sunrun Inc., as it is Ford’s preferred installation partner.
