Some Texans use 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid pickup trucks to power homes amid winter storm

[mfcorey1]

When Randy Jones of Katy, Texas, bought his new Ford F-150 pickup truck a few weeks ago, he didn’t think he’d be using it to keep the lights on in his house during a historic winter storm that left millions without power.

The 2021 hybrid’s onboard generator “gives you the ability to use your truck like a mobile generator” that can produce up to 7.2 kW of power, according to Ford.

Jones, 66, said in a phone interview with CNBC on Thursday that he bought the truck in part because of that feature, adding that he often loses power due to hurricanes and other storms. When he lost power Sunday night, he decided to get out a few extension cords and put the generator to the test.

“Without it I would have been in the dark and cold like everybody else in the neighborhood,” the retired refinery worker said, adding that he helped neighbors charge their phones and laptops. “Quite a few of the neighbors said, ‘Hey, I’m getting one,’ like, ‘I’m trading my Dodge or GMC,’ because, South Texas, with hurricanes and things like that, we’re always having power outages.”

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/18/some-texans-use-2021-ford-f-150-hybrids-to-power-homes-amid-winter-storm.html?&qsearchterm=Some%20Texans%20use%202021%20Ford%20F-150%20hybrid%20pickup%20trucks%20to%20power%20homes%20amid%20winter%20storm

[samnsara]

1. why dont they just buy a gas powered generator?

[NurseJackie]

4. You're correct. For home use, that would make the most sense...

... but if you're 'out on the range' and/or 'boondock camping' and in need of power, this could come in handy for unexpected needs.

[Massacure]

10. Ford designed this feature more for work crews than for unexpected needs

Carpenters can power a table and circular saws. Roofers can power an air compressor for pneumatic nail guns. Welding equipment can be run. Not having to haul around a portable generator is a major convenience factor for work crews.

[TreadSoftly]

5. truck sounds better than generator to me...

- fresher gas always and no little red plastic thingy that can't dispense because of new safety gadgets
- less chance you'll find generator missing or that you loaned it out
- battery storage so you get more energy out of your gas dollar
- likely quieter
- one less darn engine to maintain!!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. Certainly would have been less expensive. Significantly less.

[Rorey]

2. What a great idea!

I'd love to have one. I wonder how noisy they are.

My ex-husband drives a Dodge Ram 2500, and that thing makes SO MUCH NOISE!

[hunter]

3. The Toyota Prius had that option, but it was only available in Japan.

Plenty of people in the U.S.A. have made the conversion themselves, however.

It ought to be an easy thing for manufacturers to include with any hybrid vehicle.

[BSdetect]

7. Did the truck owner have a disconnect in his house? Or just running a few devices direct?

A generator is much more convenient though probably noisier than a truck?

Both still need gas to refill the tanks.

Solar plus battery storage makes more sense.

[TheBlackAdder]

8. I'm sure if there is a problem with the Truck, Ford will check the logs and deny warranty somwhow.

.

They'll claim it was an abuse of the system, check the dates and tie it to the freeze.

They'll claim some home device cause a disturbance with the battery system or there was backfeeding.

Put a pin in this topic fr the next few years.

.

[AllaN01Bear]

9. i remember reading about stories where people used their preious in the same way.