Forward-looking: Despite discontinuing the F-150 Lightning, Ford isn't abandoning the electric pickup market altogether. The company plans to re-enter the segment in 2027 with the Fathom, a mid-size electric truck expected to cost less than $30,000. It will feature bidirectional charging, allowing it to supply power to homes or external devices and equipment. This capability could turn the truck into a backup power source for households and businesses.
According to Ford, the Fathom's bidirectional charging feature will rely on a built-in inverter, eliminating the need for the expensive 80A wall-mounted unit required by the F-150 Lightning. The inverter will convert power from the truck's battery into AC electricity, supplying up to 10 kW to a home. This would allow the EV to serve as an emergency power source during blackouts.
However, this feature won't be free. Owners will still need to purchase Ford's Home Power Station and second-generation Home Backup Panel to send power back to the grid. That said, the Power Station will cost around 50% less than the $1,310 Charge Station Pro required by the Lightning, while the new backup panel will be 60% cheaper than its predecessor's $5,000 asking price.
Assuming Ford sticks to its pricing estimates, the second-generation backup panel should cost around $2,000. That would put the additional cost of using the Fathom as an emergency home power source at roughly $2,500 to $3,000. While that's still a substantial expense, it's cheaper than comparable solutions currently offered by American automakers.
Ford also announced that it is working with several US and Canadian utility companies to implement its vehicle-to-grid pilot program. The company added that the proposed system complies with existing regulatory standards, including UL 1741 for inverters and related power-conversion equipment, IEEE 1547 for connecting distributed energy resources to the electrical grid, and SAE J3068 for electric vehicle power transfer using a three-phase-capable coupler.
Built on Ford's new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, the Fathom represents the company's next big bet on EVs. Ford has described the truck as its 21st-century "Model T moment," one that could help it compete more effectively against the influx of affordable Chinese EVs. The company has announced a starting price of $28,350, with production expected to begin at its Louisville factory next year.
