Ford's new Fathom electric pickup offers bidirectional charging at a starting price under $30,000, making vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology more accessible. The system stems from Ford's acquisition of Auto Motive Power three years ago, resulting in a software-defined vehicle with five domain controllers replacing dozens of traditional ECUs.
The Fathom eliminates the need for a wallbox with an in-built inverter required by the Lightning's 80 A unit. Instead, owners use the Ford Home Power Station, priced at roughly half the $1,310 cost of the older truck's device. Intelligent software charges the vehicle during low electricity rates and powers homes during peak pricing.
For emergency backup power, customers need Ford's newer Home Backup Panel, which costs 60% less than the first-generation panel that retailed for around $5,000. While adding V2H capability still carries costs, it represents a significant reduction from previous options.
Ford is collaborating with utilities across the US and Canada to launch vehicle-to-grid pilot programs. The system meets key standards including UL 1741, IEEE 1547, and SAE J3068 for safety, grid connectivity, and communications.
Source: Ars Technica · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing