On May 19th, Ford Motor Company announced the third project to emerge from their purported $22 billion investment into electrification; the Ford F-150 Lightning, a fully electric pick-up truck built at the company’s Dearborn, Michigan plant.
What makes the Lightning interesting is not the size of its bed (5.5 feet, if you are wondering) or that it boasts 563 horsepower; the numbers are impressive, but how Ford is thinking about utilizing the technology in its new vehicles is more exciting. For example, one of the Lightning’s key features has nothing to do with its operability as a truck; rather, it can act as an emergency source of power, able to power the normal power usage of a family home for up to three days (on much more restrained use, Ford says the truck could power a home for over a week).
Using electric technology to provide emergency power is a fascinating feature, one that could hold enormous importance for rescue crews during hurricanes, people trapped in a remote area during a snowstorm, or just about any other natural disaster that could affect a power grid. It requires a special charger, of course - but even without it, Ford says the truck’s numerous electrical outlets could function for days. While a lot of attention has rightly been paid to the role of electric vehicles in preserving the environment, we’re only scratching the surface on what else this technology will be able to augment, and enhance, our daily lives.
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