Ford and Global Power Products launched a home backup power solution that allows owners of compatible Ford trucks to supply electricity to their homes for up to five days without costly modifications.
How the system works
The Ford Vehicle Connector ties the 240-volt outlets on Ford F-150 Lightning electric and F-150 PowerBoost hybrid trucks to Global Power Products’ GenerLink transfer switch. This arrangement powers home outlets and hardwired appliances such as well pumps, sump pumps, security systems, and gas furnaces that extension cords cannot support.
Nic Saeger, CEO of Global Power Products, stated the product eases home backup for rural customers. These customers often endure longer outages and depend on critical hardwired appliances. Data from Poweroutage.us confirms rural areas across most of the U.S. face more frequent and extended power disruptions.
“If you’re on well water and lack this device, you can’t plug in your well,” Saeger explained. “You can’t flush your toilet without power.”
Cost and installation
Ford estimates the total cost for homeowners will range between $1,350 and $1,550, with some variation due to installation. The hardware—including the GenerLink transfer switch, a 20-foot GenerLok extension cord, and the 12-inch Ford Vehicle Connector—costs approximately $1,100. Professional installation of the transfer switch usually adds another $250 to $450.
Over 800 utilities approved the GenerLink transfer switch for use on their meters. The list includes major investor-owned utilities like Commonwealth Edison and Central Maine Power, along with municipal providers such as Austin Energy. Smaller rural electric cooperatives, where reliability is often a persistent issue, also support the system. Some of these utilities may offer free or discounted installations.
For customers whose utilities haven’t approved the transfer switch, an alternative exists. They can connect the truck to a secondary meter box next to the main meter. Ford estimates this option increases the total cost by about $1,000 after installation.
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Both setups cost less than traditional solutions. David McCreadie, Ford’s director of EV grid energy services, noted existing backup systems can exceed $10,000. Standby generators alone range from $7,000 to $15,000, depending on size and location.
The partnership may also attract more buyers to Ford’s electrified vehicles. McCreadie pointed out that the ability to use a truck for home backup might appeal to those who hadn’t previously considered an electric or hybrid model.
“Buyers who have never purchased an electrified vehicle may not realize these products offer more than transportation,” he said. “They provide real value in other areas of life that a conventional vehicle cannot.”
Ford has not confirmed whether its smaller, all-electric pickup planned for 2027 will include the same vehicle-to-load features as the F-150 Lightning and PowerBoost Hybrid.
In late 2025, Ford discontinued the all-electric F-150 Lightning after years of sluggish sales. The automaker redirected some battery production to stationary energy storage and plans to reintroduce the Lightning as an extended-range plug-in hybrid.
The system’s affordability could make it an appealing choice for truck owners, especially in regions where power reliability remains a recurring issue.
Rural households stand to benefit the most.
