Texas' 2021 winter storm changed how Kenneth Kovar thought about backup power.
His home in New Braunfels, Texas, held onto power that time, but the scare stuck with him after he was without water for multiple days. The thought of his family, including his daughter and her family, losing power for days with no safe, reliable way to run essentials like a hardwired septic tank kept him up at night.
"If we lost power and my daughter lost power, I wanted to be able to provide a place for her to stay as well," he said.
He wanted a real plan in place that didn't depend on gas cans or hoping a generator started when he needed it most: "It's just so much easier if I've got a truck with a plug."
A Port in the Storm
Kenneth isn't alone. And for customers in rural communities, the stakes are often higher. A well pump, a septic system, or a sump pump isn't a convenience; it's the difference between a livable home and a real emergency.
As power outages become a more regular part of life for American households, we've watched customers rely on Pro Power Onboard® — running a spaghetti of extension cords to keep a few essentials powered.
Extension cords can keep a fridge running, but they can't power what's wired into your walls. The challenge has never been the power; it's getting that power into your home simply, reliably, and affordably.
That's why we partnered with Global Power Products to bring the GenerLink transfer switch to Ford owners.
GenerLink uses technology that's been proven in the market for more than 20 years with portable generators — and now, it's compatible with Ford's 240V Pro Power Onboard outlet.
When paired with an F-150 PowerBoost™ Hybrid with 7.2kW or F-150® Lightning® with 9.6kW with 240V Pro Power Onboard outlet, it eliminates the tangle of extension cords needed to power individual home appliances.
Instead of running cords through cracked windows and doors, you can now run a single connection between your truck's 240V Pro Power Onboard outlet and a GenerLink transfer switch installed at or near your utility meter.
That switch energizes your home's main electrical panel, so your lights, Wi-Fi, gas furnace, outlets, security system, and other hard-wired essentials can run the way they normally would, within the wattage limits of your home and vehicle.
So how long can that power last? It varies by usage, but it’s estimated that 2021-2026 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid and 2022-2025 F-150 Lightning trucks that are equipped with 240V Pro Power Onboard outlets can provide power to an average home for up to five days (2021-2026 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid) and up to two to three days (2022-2025 F-150 Lightning Standard/Extended Range) using the Pro Power Onboard feature.1
This is the kind of practical innovation we're proud to bring to market. After piloting the product in several states, we're helping expand GenerLink availability to Ford owners — taking Pro Power Onboard, a feature some customers already own, and making it more useful in the moments that matter most.
The Engineering Behind the Simplicity
Making this work requires engineering collaboration and extensive testing.
Plugging a generator-style outlet directly into a home panel can trip a truck's built-in safety sensors, cutting power unexpectedly.
To solve that, we worked with Global Power Products to develop a 12-inch cable, the Ford Vehicle Connector, that ensures electricity has one connection between the vehicle and the home.
It's a small component with an outsized job, helping keep the system reliable and simple for our customers.
How It Comes Together
Installation depends on your local utility's requirements. Some utilities manage the installation themselves, and others will require a licensed local electrician.
- Meter-Mounted: More than 800 utilities across the U.S. currently approve GenerLink for direct meter installation. The equipment bundle — GenerLink transfer switch, GenerLok cord, and Ford Vehicle Connector — runs around $1,100, with estimated installation typically averaging $250 to $450.
- Meter Adjacent Mounted: If your utility hasn't yet approved meter-mount installation but permits installation of other types of transfer switches, there's still a path forward. The equipment cost remains around $1,100, but installation is more involved, estimated to average $1,000 to $1,500.
We are continuously working to help make meter-mounted installation available in more markets. Check out the link to learn more about your local utility's requirements.
Straight From the Driveway
For Kenneth, that peace of mind is no longer hypothetical. The next time a storm rolls through New Braunfels, he won't be checking gas cans or hoping a generator starts. He'll plug in and use Pro Power Onboard.
The essentials that keep his household running can stay running from the truck already in his driveway as he hosts his daughter’s family from down the road.
That's what Pro Power Onboard and GenerLink make possible — not just for Kenneth, but for anyone who's ever watched a storm roll in and wondered if the lights, water, or heat would stay on.
Amanda Roraff leads Energy Services Business Acceleration at Ford Motor Company.
What to Read Next
GenerLink is not available in all states or with all utilities. Approval and installation requirements may vary by GenerLink model, state, and utility requirements. Check with your utility provider or licensed electrician. Failure to use proper equipment or installation methods may create backfeed to utility lines and result in property damage, fire, electrical shock, or death. GenerLink products are offered and sold by Global Power Products. Ford is not responsible for GenerLink products.
1Estimates based on daily energy use of 30 kWh, which is consistent with the national average of 899 kWh per month (roughly 29.9 kWh per day), as of January 2024 by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Requires 7.2 kW or 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard™ with 240V outlet, professionally installed GenerLink transfer switch, and a GenerLok cable and Ford Vehicle Connector; subject to local utility provider approval. Actual runtime varies based on battery size and home energy demand. Learn more on the GenerLink website.
