When Ford announced its 2022 F-150 Lightning, the company hyped up that it supported something called Intelligent Backup Power. Basically, when the power goes out, the truck functions as a generator to power the house.
While it some parts of the country, the power seldom goes out, other areas are subject to frequent outages. That means the battery might end up cycling more than it normally would in normal, day-to-day use. While rare, it is a concern to some, as addressed by a commenter on the CEO of Ford’s tweet about the system.
The key is to have high cycle battery for this to be feasible, otherwise most owners won’t want to do it as it decreases battery life!
— Harsimran Bansal (@harsimranbansal) February 2, 2022
So does using Intelligent Backup Power affect longevity? It’s unlikely but possible. Ford presumably tested the system, but until trucks are out there in the real world it’s not completely clear.
What is clear, though, is how long Ford will warrant the battery pack. We reached out to Ford to ask if using Intelligent Backup Power will affect the warranty in any way, shape, or form.
A spokesperson quickly replied, “The vehicle/battery warranty is the same for customers that adopt Intelligent Backup Power and those who don’t.”
For those wondering, the F-150 Lightning has a 3 year or 36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Electric vehicle unique components, such as the battery, are warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Paint and aluminum body panel warranties are for 5 years and unlimited miles. Roadside assistance is available for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
Ford notes on its spec sheet for F-150 Lightning that the, “Battery is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, retaining a minimum of 70% of its original capacity over that period.”
Buying a F-150 Lightning and getting the 80-amp Ford home charger opens up the possibility to have the truck work as a generator. The company is partnering with Sunrun to assist with installation, and we think it’s a smart way to add additional functionality to the electric truck.
Being able to output 9.6 kW of electricity should be able to power most moderately sized homes, including running some appliances you would never dream about running with a traditional backup generator.
Electrical load will obviously determine how long a fully charged truck battery will keep your home or business running, but several days is certainly doable for those who don’t need a nuclear reactor’s worth of juice.
Expect the 2022 Ford F-15o Lightning to start hitting dealerships this spring.
