Ford’s Sub-$30K Electric Truck Features Integrated Bidirectional Charging

Ford has announced that its upcoming sub-$30,000 Fathom electric truck will feature a new bidirectional charging system designed to power homes without the need for an expensive external inverter. The vehicle, slated to arrive in 2027, will be the first EV from a US automaker priced below $30,000 capable of delivering more than 10 kW of AC power to a residence directly.

What Happened

Ford redesigned its bidirectional charging architecture on the new Universal EV Platform following its 2023 acquisition of startup Auto Motive Power. Instead of relying on a separate wall-mounted inverter, the new system integrates the inverter directly into the truck’s E-box, one of the vehicle’s five main modules. This integration reduces the number of parts required for vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality. Owners will have two primary modes: Home Power Management, which uses a Home Power Station to charge during low-rate periods and discharge during high-rate periods, and Home Backup Power, which requires both the Home Power Station and a Home Backup Panel to maintain electricity during outages. Ford states that the Home Power Station is expected to cost about half as much as its first-generation bidirectional charger, while the backup hardware should cost at least 60% less than previous equipment.

Why It Matters

By eliminating the external inverter and reducing the cost of associated home equipment, Ford aims to lower the barrier to entry for bidirectional charging, a feature often restricted to higher-priced EVs. The system is designed to meet UL 1741 requirements and IEEE 1547 interconnection standards, utilizing SAE J3068 communications to help reduce charger costs. To facilitate broader adoption, Ford formed a working group in July with major utilities, including American Electric Power, BC Hydro, Consumers Energy, Exelon, and Pacific Gas and Electric. This collaboration seeks to simplify approval processes for customers using EVs for home backup versus those participating in virtual power plants, ensuring utility procedures align with the arrival of more affordable bidirectional vehicles.

The Bottom Line

Ford has not yet released specific prices for the new home hardware or the total installation cost for the Fathom. However, the combination of a sub-$30,000 vehicle price point and significantly reduced bidirectional equipment costs positions the Fathom as a potential catalyst for mainstreaming vehicle-to-home energy capabilities in the US market.