Ford embeds power inverter in new $28,000 electric truck

Ford will place a high-output power inverter directly inside its upcoming Fathom electric pickup. The company announced this design choice today as part of the vehicle's bidirectional charging capabilities. The truck is scheduled to cost $28,000 when it arrives on the market in the coming months.

The onboard system converts battery energy into standard household electricity. It can deliver more than 10 kilowatts of alternating current. This setup allows the truck to power home appliances, provide backup during outages, or send energy back to the grid.

Ford aims to reduce the hardware costs for these features. The previous F-150 Lightning required a separate, expensive external wall inverter. The Fathom eliminates that requirement by housing the conversion unit in its onboard E-box. Ford is targeting a 50 percent price reduction for the required Home Power Station. The current Charge Station Pro costs $1,310. The new unit is expected to cost roughly half that amount. Final pricing is still pending.

Whole-home backup power will require a separate backup panel. Ford estimates this combined package will cost $3,123. That figure represents a roughly 40 percent drop from the current market price of $5,205. Homeowners will still pay for permitting, electrician labor, and heavy-gauge wiring.

The Fathom will be the first vehicle built on Ford's Universal Electric Vehicle Platform. This new system is designed to improve aerodynamic range and lower production costs. Ford has described the project as a major turning point for the 123-year-old company. The platform aims to make profitable electric vehicle manufacturing possible.

Public utility regulations have historically complicated vehicle-to-home charging. Ford partnered with five major power companies to streamline the process. The group includes Pacific Gas and Electric, American Electric Power, BC Hydro, Consumers Energy, and Exelon. These utilities serve millions of customers across the United States and Canada. The companies agreed to simplify paperwork for storm backup. They will also use common plugs and software to automate grid programs. Ford hopes these agreements will become the industry standard.