EVs Power Homes in Blackouts: Your Truck as a Backup Battery

Electric vehicles are demonstrating their utility beyond transportation, serving as vital backup power sources during recent widespread power outages. In West Monroe, Louisiana, Keith McGrew utilized his Ford F-150 Lightning to power his home for three days during a blackout when neighbors struggled for gas. This capability, known as bidirectional charging, is becoming more prevalent, with approximately 630,000 EVs in the U.S. equipped to discharge electricity strong enough for home use.

About 14 of the 70 EV models currently available in the U.S. offer bidirectional charging. Major automakers like General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, and Volvo are incorporating this feature, with upcoming models from BMW, Tesla, and Rivian also expected to include it. Ford's F-150 Lightning has been particularly instrumental, with around 101,000 units acting as mobile power plants during severe winter weather. Ford's associated home power system, which automatically detects outages, saw quadrupled usage recently.

Owners like John Halkias in North Canton, Ohio, have found peace of mind, reporting their Lightning could sustain critical systems like refrigerators and heaters for five to seven days. Even EVs without full home-powering capabilities offer 'vehicle-to-load' functionality, essentially turning their charging ports into power outlets. Kim Mestre in Alexandria, Virginia, uses her Hyundai Ioniq for essential tasks like grinding coffee beans and boiling water.

Utility executives and grid operators are exploring ways to leverage this growing EV fleet for grid stabilization, especially amidst increasing demand and extreme weather. This capability positions EVs as potentially the largest batteries many households will ever own, promising enhanced energy resilience. While McGrew initially had no such intentions, his experience has even led him to consider helping his neighbor power his house with his truck.