Ford and TXU Energy plan to reduce costs for at-home electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions

Ford and TXU Energy plan to reduce costs for at-home electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions

Ford F-150 Lightning's Bidirectional Charging Helps Texas During Blackouts and Saves EV Owners Money

Ford Motor Company is making strides in grid sustainability and electric vehicle (EV) adoption with its latest partnership with TXU Energy in Texas. The agreement, part of the TXU Free EV Miles program, aims to help Texas's strained electrical grid by incentivizing EV customers to curb the demand for charging during peak times.

The Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck, equipped with bidirectional charging capability, was put to use during Hurricane Beryl blackouts in Texas, as mentioned in a post by Ford CEO Jim Farley. This feature allows the vehicle to send energy back to the grid, providing a valuable resource during power outages.

The partnership between Ford and TXU Energy offers eligible Ford owners a 100% credit on their electric bill for energy used to charge their EVs between 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. the following day. This credit could cover the entire cost of all at-home charging for eligible owners, making EV ownership more affordable.

According to Bill Crider, senior director of global charging and energy services at Ford, this program encourages electric vehicle customers to charge at off-peak hours. This is crucial, as the Department of Energy reports that as much as 90% of EV charging occurs overnight at home.

The program's primary goal is to save money for electric vehicle owners while supporting a more sustainable, resilient electrical grid. This money-saving initiative could attract more car buyers to EVs, as cost is a significant barrier to adoption for many.

Ford is not new to bidirectional charging; the company has previously partnered with California utility Pacific Gas and Electric to pilot a program testing the benefits of bidirectional charging. The Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck can also power a home during a power outage, further demonstrating its versatility.

The Ford F-150 Lightning's bidirectional charging capabilities have already been familiar to EV owners in Texas, as evidenced by the post made by Ford CEO Jim Farley during Hurricane Beryl blackouts.

Ford's partnership with Duke Energy in North Carolina for grid sustainability initiatives also underscores the company's commitment to a sustainable future. The automaker has partnered with TXU Energy to offset at-home charging costs for electric Ford SUV and truck owners, further strengthening its position in the EV market.

The program was announced in an Aug. 12 press release, marking another step forward in Ford's mission to make EVs more accessible and affordable for consumers. As the EV market continues to grow, initiatives like this one are crucial in addressing the challenges of grid sustainability and EV adoption.

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