Ford Fathom will be the cheapest American EV capable of powering a house

Ford unveiled two new EV chargers for its upcoming Fathom pickup truck, which will allow the vehicle to function as a power source for homes and the power grid. The chargers are significantly cheaper than Ford's previous offerings, potentially making the technology more accessible to households. The Fathom is anticipated to launch at a price of $28,350.

It boasts the capability to deliver over 10 kW of power to a home, which could serve as an alternative to a modest standby generator for many American residences. However, it's unlikely to power an entire home, potentially only keeping a refrigerator and air conditioner running for half a day. This feature has been touted as one of the advantages EVs have over traditional vehicles, yet few EVs arrive with the necessary equipment, and the required chargers often come at a high cost.

Ford's two devices provide similar yet distinct functionalities. The Home Power Station device enables homeowners to reduce their utility bills by charging the Fathom during low-cost periods and discharging electricity back to the home when prices are high. The automaker estimates this device will cost around $650, approximately half the price of Ford's initial bidirectional charger.

The second option, the Home Backup Power package, combines the Home Power Station with an additional device, the Home Backup Panel, enabling the Fathom to power part or all of a home during outages. This package is projected to cost around $2,100, about 60% less than its predecessor. These prices do not include installation costs, which for existing V2X chargers can amount to up to $10,000, depending on the extent of electrical work required.

Ford has not announced any partnerships with installers, but a spokesperson stated that further details will be revealed at a later date. The specific loads the Fathom can handle will depend on the household and the installation specifics. For example, air conditioners and refrigerators typically need a significant initial power surge, after which their demand decreases.

Soft start devices can help mitigate this surge, but they increase the installation cost. Both chargers will enable Fathom owners to join virtual power plants (VPPs), where software controls a network of distributed energy storage devices, such as EVs. As data centers powered by AI grow, utilities are investigating if VPPs can help alleviate congestion at the grid's edges.

Fathom owners who enroll and keep their truck connected can sell electricity back to the grid, potentially earning up to $1,000 annually, contingent on the grid's demands and the level of participation. Ford is not disclosing the exact compensation but notes that payouts can reach this amount depending on the grid's requirements and the degree of involvement.

Automakers, including Ford, are heavily investing in energy storage as demand for such services increases. The Fathom-powered VPP represents Ford's latest foray into this market but is not expected to be their final contribution.