No Vehicle to Load or Outlets in Bed/Frunk

[atx_ev]

The rep told me neither V2L nor outlets in the frunk/bed would be included on the initial production, but they didn’t say it wouldn’t be an option to add… so that may be the case. It may also be the case that the rep who responded to me or the one that responded to you doesn’t have completely accurate information.

Things also could change leading up to production. With this being marketed as a work truck, I hope they will at least have an option to add an outlet to the frunk/bed.

This is one of those things they might expect you to add yourself, but you can hire someone to do it

 

[Driven5]

My priority is not freezing in the dark
during a long blackout.
What would be the best course of action?

A portable dual fuel (propane) generator is a LOT cheaper (and smaller) than getting an F150 lightning or hybrid just for a little emergency power once or twice every year or three. It doesn't need to be big enough to run the whole house, just a few key circuits.

 

[ryun]

A portable dual fuel (propane) generator is a LOT cheaper (and smaller) than getting an F150 lightning or hybrid just for a little emergency power once or twice every year or three. It doesn't need to be big enough to run the whole house, just a few key circuits.

Definitely (especially if you're already thinking about using a gas vehicle for this). But I'll add that turning on the EV in the garage to run the fridge is waaaaaay better than going out in the elements to start a generator.

Maybe @Mad Mac could consider a power wall? Doesn't have to be made by Tesla.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

The slate has a 12v outlet in the frunk that slate is pretending qualifies as "V2L", which is better than nothing, but not by a lot. The plug and play version of upgrading it to something that can offboard some real power would be to add a battery bank in the frunk that charges from the 12v while the truck is on. That has the added bonus of acting as reserve capacity to get you a few miles if you run out (by plugging in the mobile EVSE to the battery and charging the truck).

 

[Mad Mac]

Definitely (especially if you're already thinking about using a gas vehicle for this). But I'll add that turning on the EV in the garage to run the fridge is waaaaaay better than going out in the elements to start a generator.

Maybe @Mad Mac could consider a power wall? Doesn't have to be made by Tesla.

Thank you for the power wall suggestion.
My solar panel installer in 2021
would not even discuss the idea.
I don't know why.

It's pricey but competitive with a Generac
and a large propane tank.
And it will not run out of propane.
Just need some sunshine to keep it going.

 

[KevinRS]

Thank you for the power wall suggestion.
My solar panel installer in 2021
would not even discuss the idea.
I don't know why.

It's pricey but competitive with a Generac
and a large propane tank.
And it will not run out of propane.
Just need some sunshine to keep it going.

Since 2021 power wall type options have become more prevalent and mainstream. Some power companies even have grants that depending on where you live and your income will pay for one, that will be set up partially as backup power, and partially to charge when power is in surplus and send power back to the grid during peak use. This can give you more electric bill savings without changing the amount of power used.

 

[atx_ev]

A portable dual fuel (propane) generator is a LOT cheaper (and smaller) than getting an F150 lightning or hybrid just for a little emergency power once or twice every year or three. It doesn't need to be big enough to run the whole house, just a few key circuits.

duromax has a 16kw trifuel inverter for about 5K.

 

[sodamo]

Before making a deposit on the Slate
I put down a $100 deposit
on a Ford Lightning
because I could use it
to power my house during a blackout.
I have no natural gas for a Generac.

Then canceled my reservation
when I figured that a Ford Hybrid pickup
was essentially a generator on wheels
that could be refilled with fuel
during a protracted blackout
assuming fuel could be found.

Then Slate came along
and I was seduced by the price.
That and I have quite an array
of solar panels on my carport
and was attracted to the idea
that I could power my Slate with the sun.
Assuming there is not a blanket of snow
on the solar panels.

So help me out here.
My priority is not freezing in the dark
during a long blackout.
What would be the best course of action?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Your Generac should be convertible to propane/LP

 

[E90400K]

Thank you for the power wall suggestion.
My solar panel installer in 2021
would not even discuss the idea.
I don't know why.

It's pricey but competitive with a Generac
and a large propane tank.
And it will not run out of propane.
Just need some sunshine to keep it going.

You said your priority "is not freezing in the dark" during an extended blackout. What does that mean? What type of heating system do you have heating your home? What is your definition of an "extended blackout".

Your first question is what is the electrical load you need to satisfy with a critical power backup system. Second question is what is your budget?

IMO, expecting to use one of the proposed least expensive BEV platforms to have a standard built-in V2L capability is an over-ask for the Slate Truck. V2L is not in the Slate mission statement.

 

[Mad Mac]

"Prolonged freezing temperatures in February 2021 gripped Texas for nearly a week, pushing demand to record levels and knocking power plants and natural gas systems offline as equipment froze and fuel supplies failed. More than 4 million people lost electricity, contributing to more than 240 deaths statewide." 2021 Texas Blackout

Fortunately, I was not in the worst of it but in an all electric home going a day and a half without heat was a wakeup call for me.

My neighbor had a diesel generator but had to drive somewhere that had electric power to run their diesel pumps for fuel for the generator. It makes you think.

Circling back, I am beginning to think that a Ford F150 hybrid with a full tank of gasoline might offer the best long term solution for enduring a long term blackout in comfort.

The extra cost of buying a hybrid is less than a power wall or Generac with a 500 gallon propane tank. How many 20-lb propane bottles would it take to run a house for a week?

But I could be wrong. I often am.

 

[Mad Mac]

Wait. There's more.

Hurricanes or tornadoes and the related power outages are actually a more likely threat than blizzards where I live.

Assuming the house survives the storm trying to cool down in comfort with air conditioning would be the challenge at my age. Air conditioning is a heavy draw.

Enough doom and gloom.
Have a good weekend.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I have a whole house backup generator with three 120 gallon tanks. Will last for a bit less than a week, and a refill is a phone call away. The whole install was around $12,000. Yea, that's a chunk of money, but I've been weeks without power during three hurricanes (two in CT, one in NC). I am prevented from solar by covenants.

That's just me. I look forward to the day when I have whole house batteries, and solar, and V2L, and the generator. I think the future is solar and battery. nonflammable whole house batteries will be dirt cheap in a decade. I predict by 2035 all new houses will come with them, mandated by building code.

Just a thought about V2L. Power here in Asheville was gone for weeks - some people for months. So a V2L solution is fine as long as you can recharge that vehicle. Which you cannot do during a natural disaster that takes the regional grid down for weeks. Not disrespecting V2L - it's cool. But just be aware it doesn't create power. It redistributes what you currently have in the car. And if you need to drive during an extended power outage, well choose house or driving.

 

[Mad Mac]

But wait, that's not all.

A hybrid F-150 is at most only $3,500 more than a comparable F-150. You have to drive something so the rest of the cost of the truck is irrelevant.

 

[Driven5]

The price increase is over what you'd normally otherwise drive, not just over a base engine F150... Unless that's what you'd normally otherwise drive.

But wait, that's not all.

The standard F150 Hybrid only has 120V, 20A, 2.4kW V2L power... And more importantly, the optional high output system maxes it at 240V, 30A, 7.2kW of V2L power. If that's not enough to power your home needs in an emergency, then the F150 hybrid is not even an option for consideration anyways.

 

[Mad Mac]

Evidently, it is enough.