Ford Fathom to power homes in outages with $2,100 backup kit

Ford said on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 that its upcoming Fathom electric pickup truck will be able to supply power to a home during an outage without the expensive external inverter that earlier systems needed, because the inverter is built into the truck. Ford priced its new Home Power Station charger at about $650 and a Home Backup Power package, which adds a home backup panel, at about $2,100, according to reports on the announcement. With the Fathom starting at $28,350 before destination charges, reports described it as set to be the cheapest American electric vehicle able to power a house. The truck is due in 2027.

An electric vehicle is, in effect, a large battery on wheels. "Vehicle-to-home" technology lets that battery send power back into a house, for example to keep the refrigerator, lights and heating running during a blackout. Until now, the hardware to do this has been costly. Ford's earlier system for its F-150 Lightning pickup needed a separate inverter and charger, which, together with installation, could cost thousands of dollars. By moving the inverter into the vehicle, Ford cuts the cost of the equipment a homeowner has to buy.

The other part of the pitch is everyday savings. Ford says the Home Power Station can charge the truck when electricity is cheap, such as overnight, and send power back to the house when rates are high. If that works as described, owners could lower their electricity bills, not only cover outages.

The pricing is aimed at mass-market buyers. Ford says the backup package costs about 60% less than its first-generation product, and the charger about half as much. Lower equipment costs could make the technology attractive to households in areas with frequent storms or unreliable grids, where a vehicle that doubles as a backup battery has obvious value.

There are limits. Installation can still be costly, depending on how much electrical work a home needs; for existing two-way chargers, some installations have cost up to $10,000, according to reports. Ford has not confirmed the Fathom's battery capacity, which determines how long it can keep a home running.

Short-term: The announcement gives buyers a clearer picture of the total cost of using a Fathom as a home backup. Final prices and battery details are still to come before deliveries begin.

Long-term: If cheaper built-in inverters spread across the industry, more electric vehicles could double as household batteries, helping homes ride out outages and helping power grids manage peak demand.

Who is affected: Prospective electric pickup buyers in the US, homeowners in outage-prone areas, electricians and installers, utilities, and rival carmakers offering vehicle-to-home systems.

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