Ford today announced the launch of two new electric vehicle charging devices that will enable its upcoming Fathom pickup to function as a battery, supplying power to homes or the grid.
Ford stated that the prices of these two new charging devices are approximately half that of the company’s existing similar products, making the technology more affordable for more households. Ford noted that the Fathom itself starts at $28,350.
Ford stated that Fathom will be able to output "more than 10 kilowatts" of power to a home—enough to replace a small backup generator. While this isn't sufficient to power an entire typical American household, it can keep essential appliances like the refrigerator and air conditioner running for about half a day.
This capability has long been considered an advantage of electric vehicles over fossil fuel-powered cars, but truly well-equipped electric vehicles are still rare, and the charging infrastructure required for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) services is often expensive.
Ford's two devices offer similar but not identical features.
The Home Power Station device enables users to charge their Fathom when electricity rates are low and send power back to their home when rates are high, reducing electricity bills. Ford says the device costs approximately $650, about 50% less than its first-generation bidirectional charger.
Another option is the Home Backup Power kit, which bundles the Home Power Station with a second device, the Home Backup Panel, enabling Fathom to power some or all areas of the home during a power outage. Ford says this bundle costs approximately $2,100, about 60% less than its first-generation product.
The above prices do not include installation fees. For existing V2X charging equipment, installation costs can reach up to $10,000, depending on the extent of electrical upgrades required for the home. Ford has not announced any partnerships with installers, but a spokesperson told TechCrunch that Ford will provide more details later.
The loads Fathom can power vary depending on your household and specific installation setup. For example, air conditioners and refrigerators typically require a high inrush current at startup, after which the load decreases. Soft-start devices can help mitigate this surge, but they also increase installation costs.
Both charging devices will enable Fathom users to participate in a virtual power plant (VPP), which uses software to control a network of distributed energy storage devices, such as electric vehicles.
As grid pressure rises from AI data centers, utilities have been exploring whether VPPs can help alleviate congestion in edge areas.
Fathom owners who join the program and keep their trucks plugged in can sell electricity back to the grid, often at a premium. Ford has not specified exactly how much Fathom owners can earn, but annual returns could exceed $1,000 depending on grid demand and participation level.
Automakers, including Ford, are heavily entering the energy storage sector as demand for these services surges. The virtual power plant powered by Fathom is Ford’s latest attempt in this market, but it is unlikely to be its last.