Photo Credit: RedditWhen Hurricane Lowell hit Hawai'i in early September, a cafe and bakery owner on the island of Kaua'i turned to an unlikely backup power system parked right outside — their Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup.Instead of losing tens of thousands of dollars in food, the owner said the truck kept three commercial refrigerators and freezers cold for about two days amid major grid outages.Here's what to knowThe bakery owner posted about the situation in a Reddit forum for F-150 Lightnings, saying the electric truck's Pro Power Onboard outlets helped after the outage struck their business.Photo Credit: Reddit"It pulled around ~2 kW on average, and we kept it running for 2 solid days to keep everything cold!" they wrote.The post said that even after more than a day logged on the trip meter, the truck still showed 45% battery remaining and 112 miles of range."This truck literally paid for itself this week!" the owner wrote.Adding battery storage is one of the best ways to protect yourself during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. If you want to explore home battery options, EnergySage can help you compare information and competitive installation estimates. The company has teamed up with the electrification brand Qmerit to guarantee prospective buyers get the best price on home battery storage solutions.More backgroundWith the right outlets and power management, electric vehicles may be able to keep some essential appliances running when the grid goes down.That can help keep appliances running during storms, wildfires, heat waves, and other emergencies, especially when gas stations may be crowded or inaccessible.Another Reddit commenter said their truck powered a kitchen refrigerator and deep freezer during a multi-day outage in the Midwest, even supplying some air conditioning.Avoiding food loss is a key aim, but backup power may also help households and small businesses avoid hotel stays, emergency fuel costs, and the stress of scrambling for a separate generator.What can be done?For people who are drawn to the idea of resilient backup power but who do not own an EV with exportable power, home batteries are worth a serious look. They can keep critical loads running, reduce dependence on the grid, and pair well with rooftop solar for even greater energy security.Battery storage is also one of the clearest ways to prepare for outages while lowering power costs. For some households, it can provide a path toward partial or full off-grid living, depending on energy use and system size.There are lower-cost options, too. Pila offers excellent battery backup options, and its plug-and-play batteries are priced at a fraction of what a whole-home backup system would cost.Where can I learn more?These articles cover Ford's home backup charging push, EVs supporting homes and grids, and safer alternatives to gas generators:• Ford gave away free bidirectional chargers so owners can better handle home outages.• Researchers showed EVs can provide the backup needed when the grid fails during emergencies.• GM is pushing EVs to power homes during blackouts, though installation costs remain a hurdle.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
