The Untapped Power of Electric Vehicles January 10, 2022 Update  by Ray Bosenbecker

In April 2021, I lamented the plight of millions of US citizens who lost power in Texas due to extreme weather and suggested the possibility of electric vehicles (EV) being used as a mobile power resource for the home.

I’m happy to report that on January 6, 2022 GM announced that their 2024 Chevy Silverado EV will have 10 electrical outlets that will be able to provide up to 10.2 kW of 120vac and 240vac electrical power.  The Silverado is expected to begin production in the second quarter of 2023.

In addition, GM began delivery of the 200 kWh Ultium Platform battery powered Edition 1 Hummer SUT (Sport Utility Truck) on December 20, 2021; the Hummer EV SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) expected in 2022, will offer an onboard “Power Station” with 120vac and 240vac outlets to provide 3 kW of power from the vehicle’s battery.  GM states users will also be able to charge another electric vehicle through the 240vac outlet at 6.0 kW.

Furthermore, on May 19, 2021, Ford announced that their 2022 battery powered F-150 “Lightning” Truck will have 2.4 kilowatts (kW) of ProPower Outlets similar to those on the 2021 F-150 Hybrid truck that powered homes during the early 2021 rolling blackouts in Texas. 

Ford stated the “Lightning’s” unique “Intelligent Backup Power” will be able to provide Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability with up to 9.6 kW of 120vac power to power a home for 3 days or more (depending on battery charge state, battery size and home utilization of power). A typical home requires 10 to 30 kWh per day in normal times. Ford states the F-150 Lightning will be available in Spring 2022.  

In addition, the following companies will be providing electric vehicles with some backup power.

a)     The Tesla Cyber Truck, expected in 2022 or 2023, will have 120-volt and 240-volt power outlets. 

b)     The 2021 Rivian R1T Truck, now available, has 120 vac power outlets with 400 watts available at each.

To have these technologies in your next vehicle; share your concern with EV manufacturers, government representatives and power companies. To see more visit https://evbackuppower.blogspot.com/. 

 

Change the paradigm that an EV is only for transportation and look at its possibilities as a mobile power resource.