Ford’s upcoming Fathom electric truck will be the first U.S. automaker EV under $30,000 to offer 10 kW of AC bidirectional charging without requiring a separate inverter, according to a company blog post. The design change integrates inverter capability directly into the vehicle’s hardware, cutting costs for consumers while enabling the bidirectional charging capabilities already found in other EVs.
The move simplifies Ford’s Home Power Station setup, which will cost roughly half of what the F-150 Lightning’s Charge Station Pro ($1,310) requires. The Home Backup Power Panel for the Fathom will be 60% cheaper than the $5,205 Home Integration System, though installation costs are not included. The Fathom employs a wide range of reconceived technology designed to be more simple and affordable.
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A key innovation is the e-Box, a single unit managing charging, bidirectional charging, and the truck’s 48-volt system for accessory voltage. According to Ford, the team behind the Fathom “started from a clean sheet” on the EV’s bidirectional hardware and software after acquiring Auto Motive Power in 2023. “Our goal wasn’t just to add bidirectional power to our EVs, but to redesign the system to cost far less,” said Dave McCreadie, Ford’s director of grid and energy services.
Electric vehicles’ batteries are energy storage devices on wheels, with tremendous potential either as backup energy storage devices when the grid is down or, when they’re networked with the grid, as well as assets that can help keep the grid more reliable. Ford shows that home backup functionality for the Fathom will be able to work two ways: as a grid-connected device that can help provide smart charging and power the home when electricity is expensive, or, with the help of the Home Backup Power Panel, as a true power source for the home when the power goes out.
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Ford worked with five major utilities—American Electric Power, BC Hydro, Consumers Energy, Exelon, and Pacific Gas and Electric Co.—to help define scalable interconnection processes, ensuring the system meets UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 standards. The collaboration addressed gaps in existing regulations, which were primarily written for rooftop solar and stationary battery storage, not vehicles.
The Fathom’s approach contrasts with Tesla’s Powershare system, which requires additional hardware like a $1,970 Home Backup Bundle for the Cybertruck or integration with a Powerwall 3 for Model 3 and Y owners. While Tesla’s system delivers up to 11.5 kW, Ford’s design eliminates the need for separate adapters or upgrades, making it more accessible for buyers without existing home energy setups. The Fathom, which is set to be built in Kentucky, remains some months from its market arrival. Ford says it will open pre-orders for the model in early 2027, with deliveries due later in the year.