Zac Quinn 
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck is so far the only vehicle of its kind. Where others like the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV have their party tricks tailored for the wilderness, the new Lightning (and its relatively low starting price) has the jobsite in mind. Yet not all has been foretold, as it’s only recently been shared that the new Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck will be able to charge other EVs.
2022 F-150 Lightning Bi-Directional Power Transfer
The truck’s chief engineer Linda Zhang told The Drive about how the Ford F-150 Lightning is equipped with something they’re branding as “Intelligent Backup Power” which allows for a bidirectional transfer of power via the extended range batteries. The power is routed through the truck’s charging port, and through the attached cord.
Zhang also stated that, in theory, an F-150 Lightning could charge any electric vehicle. However, the issue lies with the charging cord and electrical architecture within the vehicle, meaning that the truck will only be able to share its charge with other F-150 Lightning trucks. But, with time, that could very well change, and future vehicles could be capable of receiving charge from the Lightning as well. Having the ability to help another Ford owner if they don’t have enough charge to reach their destination is vital in helping ease the concerns many people have with electric vehicles. That is, the range and what happens if you don’t have enough charge to make it to the nearest charging port.
The bi-directional charging feature on the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a more advanced form of the 7.2 kW ProPower OnBoard inverter generator system that’s found on the Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid. Though its 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine and its batteries, the F-150 hybrid can power up to three average American homes, should the occasion call for it.
