The future is here! The highly-anticipated Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck and the Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid can now help charge other electric vehicles. How is this possible, and what kind of charge will this offer?

The Ford F-150 Lightning truck and PowerBoost Hybrid truck are getting an electrifying upgrade

According to an announcement from Ford today, the F-150 Lightning keeps getting better. One of the major issues people have with electric cars is that the battery can die. Getting to a charging station can be a pain, especially in more remote areas. But it happens, and the world has to adapt to the situation. When electric vehicles first came around, AAA used to have mobile charging units on trucks that could rescue drivers. This was a project that the company tested but eventually scrapped.

However, Ford says that will soon be a distant memory. Ford says the F-150 Lightning electric truck and the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid will be able to “share range” with other electric vehicles. During a power outage or similar situation, the trucks can charge an electric vehicle through the available Pro Power Onboard generator.

Ford anticipates the Lightning and PowerBoost Hybrid will add around 20 miles of charge for about an hour of charging. In the press release, Ford specifically cites the Mustang Mach-E. “This is estimated to add an average range of 20 miles per charging hour to a Mustang Mach-E SUV with extended range battery and rear-wheel drive, or 13 miles of charge per hour on an F-150 Lightning.”

Pro Power Onboard for the 2022 F-150 Lightning and F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid

This is a pretty big deal for future truck owners. The Pro Power Onboard is available on the 2022 F-150 Lightning, and the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid has another use now. This option was touted as a benefit for those who want to camp or power a tool through the generator, but charging a vehicle is a game-changer. The 240-volt outlet can offer Level 2 charging on a car. Ford estimated 20 miles of charging for something like a Mach-E but says it has the potential to add 13 miles of charge an hour on the Lightning. For something like the Ford E-Transit low-roof cargo van, the estimate is 10 miles of charging per hour.

The press release says drivers will need something like the Ford Mobile Power Cord, which comes with the electric vehicle. This uses the SAE J1772 charge port, which many other non-Ford vehicles also use. That means this won’t be a brand-specific benefit, and other electric vehicles will be able to take advantage of it. Ford will offer the Pro Power Onboard generator in 7.2 kilowatts or 9.6 kilowatts down the line.

This is a big deal for electric vehicles

Ford says that these new electric vehicles are opening new doors for customers. In addition to charging a car, Ford says buyers can use F-150 Lightning with the Ford Intelligent Backup Power. That means that instead of a regular home generator or backup system, the Lightning can be used to “power a typical-size home up to three days in the event of a power outage.”

Of course, there are a few stipulations to power your home for three days. “When the home is properly equipped and home transfer switch disconnects home from the grid. Based on 30 kWh used per day using the F-150 Lightning with the extended-range battery.  Your results may vary depending on energy usage.” However, that’s still a pretty cool selling point.

Keep an eye out for more information about the 2022 F-150 Lightning and F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid as the trucks start delivering around the country.