Ford says its next‑generation electric pickup will not only drive, it will also power a house.
Key points
- The Fathom will be the first sub‑$30,000 electric pickup with an integrated bidirectional power system.
- Built‑in inverter and lower‑cost accessories could make home‑energy use more accessible to a broader range of EV owners.
- Widespread adoption will depend on utilities and regulators simplifying grid‑connection rules for bidirectional vehicles.
Ford unveiled details of the Fathom, an upcoming electric pickup slated for production in 2027, with a manufacturer‑suggested retail price projected to stay below $30,000, according to a company statement on Tuesday.
The truck will feature a bidirectional power system capable of delivering more than 10 kilowatts of alternating‑current electricity to a residence, and it will do so without the need for a separate wall‑mounted inverter, the automaker said.
Integrated inverter eliminates extra hardware
Instead, an inverter is built directly into the vehicle’s E‑box. To manage home‑charging and discharge cycles, owners will need Ford’s Home Power Station, which the company estimates will cost roughly half of its first‑generation bidirectional charger. A backup power panel is also offered at about 60 % less than the earlier system.
The Fathom will be the first model built on Ford’s new Universal EV Platform and will be assembled at the Louisville Assembly Plant, which is undergoing a $2 billion overhaul in preparation for the 2027 rollout. Ford has also formed a working group with five major utilities to help define scalable interconnection processes for the vehicle’s grid‑link capabilities.
Cheaper accessories aim to broaden adoption
Ford previously provided bidirectional home‑power functionality on the all‑electric F‑150 Lightning, a model that ends production in 2025. The company noted that high costs and the need for separate inverters have kept the technology limited to premium vehicles, a barrier it hopes to lower with the Fathom’s integrated design.
Reader questions
What does bidirectional power mean for an electric vehicle?
Bidirectional power lets the vehicle’s battery send electricity back to a home or the grid, converting stored direct‑current (DC) power into the alternating‑current (AC) used by household appliances.
When will the Ford Fathom be available to consumers?
Ford plans to begin production of the Fathom in 2027, with sales expected to follow after the Louisville plant’s $2 billion upgrade is complete.
What additional hardware is required to use the truck’s home‑power feature?
Owners will need Ford’s Home Power Station to manage charging and discharge, and an optional backup power panel for outage protection.
Source: foxbusiness.com