Ford Fathom EV Targets Home Power With Lower-Cost Bidirectional Charging
Ford's upcoming Fathom electric pickup will start at $28,350 and feature integrated AC bidirectional charging, aiming to slash the cost of vehicle-to-home power by eliminating expensive external inverters.
Ford has announced the Fathom electric pickup with a starting price under $30,000, targeting home power functionality. The vehicle will retail for $28,350 and go on sale sometime next year, featuring onboard AC bidirectional charging that enables home power delivery and grid interaction.
AC Bidirectional Charging Capability
The Fathom's integrated system eliminates the need for costly external inverters required by other electric vehicles. Ford's new AC-capable bidirectional charger will be roughly half the $1,300 price of its current Ford Charge Station Pro. Incorporating this technology directly into the vehicle from the start reduces the cost to between $200 and $300. The system uses the SAE J3068 standard for safe AC power delivery, allowing the truck to send power back to a home without additional external equipment. Ford's future Universal EV platform will also include this AC bidirectional charging capability.
Utility Partnerships and Regulatory Context
To handle regulatory hurdles, Ford formed a working group in July with five major power companies. The utility partners are American Electric Power, BC Hydro, Consumers Energy, Exelon, and Pacific Gas and Electric. Currently, only California and Maryland have established utility regulations for AC bidirectional charging. Ford's solution to this utility red tape was to team up directly with these power companies.
Home Power Solutions and Cost Reductions
Ford is introducing lower-cost home power packages to reduce reliance on expensive backup batteries. The company's plan ties lower home-power cost directly to equipment pricing.
The Home Backup Power package will cost around $2,100, which is about 60% less than the first-generation product. The Home Power Station will cost approximately $650, about 50% less than the first-generation bidirectional charger. By integrating charging hardware into the vehicle, Ford aims to remove the cost obstacle of expensive bidirectional chargers. The Fathom does not require costly backup batteries for home power functionality.
Grid Participation and Future Timeline
Fathom owners who enroll in utility programs and keep their truck plugged in can sell electricity back to the grid. They could receive payouts upwards of $1,000 per year. Production of the Fathom is due to begin sometime in early 2027. Ford CEO Jim Farley stated it will be a challenge to launch the Fathom at scale, at cost, and on time.
