Ford F-150 Lightning or hybrid owners can now use their trucks to keep hard-wired home essentials running during an outage by connecting their truck directly to their home’s main electrical panel. And even better, it’s affordable.
Ford has worked with Global Power Products to make its GenerLink transfer switch compatible with the 240V Pro Power Onboard 240v outlet – an integrated mobile generator system – on certain F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid and F-150 Lightning trucks.
Instead of running extension cords through windows and doors, the setup connects the Ford F-150 truck to a home’s main electrical panel, allowing it to power lights, wifi, a well pump, refrigerators, wall outlets, and other hard-wired essentials within the truck’s and home’s power limits.
That makes Pro Power Onboard outlet considerably more useful in an outage. Plugging appliances directly into the truck can keep a few household appliances running, but it can’t power hardwired household equipment.
How Ford’s GenerLink transfer switch works
GenerLink is installed at or near the home’s utility meter. A single cord then runs between the transfer switch and the truck’s 240V Pro Power Onboard outlet.
The system works with 2022-25 F-150 Lightning trucks with the 9.6-kW Pro Power Onboard and 2021-26 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid trucks equipped with the 7.2-kW Pro Power Onboard.
Ford estimates that an F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid can power an average home for up to five days. A standard-range F-150 Lightning can provide up to two days of backup power, while an extended-range Lightning can provide up to three days. Actual backup time will depend on how much electricity the household uses.
Ford says plugging a generator-style outlet directly into a home panel can trigger the truck’s built-in safety sensors and shut off the power. To prevent that, Ford and Global Power Products developed a 12-inch Ford Vehicle Connector that maintains a single electrical connection between the truck and home.
What does it cost?
More than 800 US utilities currently approve GenerLink switches for direct installation behind an electric meter, according to Ford.
The equipment bundle – the GenerLink transfer switch, GenerLok cord, and Ford Vehicle Connector – costs around $1,100. Ford estimates that meter-mounted installation will typically add $250 to $450, depending on the utility and location.
If the local utility doesn’t approve a meter-mounted GenerLink but allows other transfer switches, the equipment can be installed next to the meter. That more involved option uses the same $1,100 equipment bundle, but Ford estimates installation will cost $1,000 to $1,500.
A utility or licensed electrician must install the system, depending on local requirements.
Ford says it tested the setup in several states before expanding availability. The company is also working to make meter-mounted installation available through more utilities.
The GenerLink option is aimed partly at existing F-150 Lightning owners. Ford has stopped taking orders for the current Lightning BEV, but says it will continue to support existing Lightning owners. The automaker says its next-generation truck will use an extended-range electric powertrain.
Read more: Wallbox expands its bidirectional EV charger program in the US
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