In the wake of Winter Storm Uri, which devastated Texas‘s power grid in, many homeowners are seeking reliable backup power solutions. Kenneth Kovar, a resident of New Braunfels, Texas, experienced the challenges of power outages firsthand. Despite not losing power during the storm, he struggled with his independent septic system and had to resort to filling toilets with water from his backyard pool.

Kovar’s solution came in the form of a Ford F-150, equipped with a system that allows drivers to plug their vehicle directly into their electric meter to power parts of their home during outages. This innovation is part of a broader trend where automakers are adapting their electrification technologies to the home energy business, especially as demand on the grid increases and sales of electric vehicles slow.

Ford’s Innovative Power Solution

Ford has developed a system that enables drivers of certain F-150 models to connect their vehicles to their home’s electric meter. This setup involves a one-foot-long adapter that connects to a 240-volt outlet onboard the vehicle. The adapter, made in collaboration with Ford’s Global Power Products, allows the vehicle to plug into a longer, separate cable that connects to a transfer switch installed directly on the home’s electric meter.

Through this adapter and cable series, homeowners can connect their vehicle directly to their home’s breaker box. The homeowner can then turn on and off specific breaker switches to power the devices they need. This system essentially turns the vehicle into a portable power source.

Amanda Roraff, Ford’s grid and energy services business acceleration lead, explains the convenience of this setup: “The way we think about it, especially for customers who already have a compatible vehicle is, you already own the power source, it’s in your driveway.”

The Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck can provide power for two to three days, depending on the home devices being used. The F-150 PowerBoost hybrid can provide power for up to five days on a single tank of gas. This solution is significantly less expensive than conventional diesel-powered portable generators and full-home standby setups, which can cost several thousand dollars. Ford’s setup starts around $1,100, although it also requires professional installation at the meter.

Expanding Energy Solutions from Automakers

Ford is not the only automaker exploring the potential of vehicle-to-home power solutions. Over 630,000 U.S. vehicles already have this functionality, and automakers are rapidly expanding their available options with the goal of full vehicle-to-grid support in the long run.

South Korean auto brand Kia and Wallbox, an EV charging company, have teamed up to allow drivers of eligible compatible vehicles to have home power backup during outages or periods of high demand. Tesla’s technology is similar, allowing drivers of equipped vehicles to connect to their home using additional Tesla hardware. The Cybertruck provides full vehicle-to-home capability, while other Tesla models can only connect to and power specific devices or appliances.

General Motors is also making strides in the energy space. A recent partnership with WeaveGrid allows homeowners who drive certain GM EVs to enroll in some grid reliability utility programs. Once an outage is detected, GM’s vehicle-to-home tech can disconnect the home from the grid and start supplying power from the GM EV.

Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM energy, envisions a future where this technology offers comprehensive control: “If you can imagine the future as we go forward, it’s having the ability — now that we have this single platform — that allows our customer to experience our system, but also can have the full control of the energy.”

The Importance of Backup Power in a Slowing EV Market

This technology is becoming increasingly important as the EV market faces challenges. Pure EV sales in the U.S. year-over-year are down 23.8%, according to a July Cox Automotive report on the first half of 2026. Automakers are looking to pivot and leverage their investments in electrification to tap into the promising market of vehicle, home, and grid technology.

However, the tech is not without challenges. On the industry side, these systems have to undergo third-party testing to ensure they meet safety standards, and the vehicle and the charger need to be programmed to communicate. It also requires the approval of the utility where the capability is being used, which could take years to obtain.

On the customer side, homeowners need to understand their vehicles’ abilities and how to self-manage their system. It also introduces another generator of power into the home mix. Despite these challenges, experts see significant opportunity, especially with growing interest in EV sales outside the U.S.

Scott Samuelsen, engineering professor emeritus at the University of California, Irvine, highlights the potential impact: “We already know during an outage, its impact, providing electricity to the home. This is going to become very, very popular.”