At Ford, we’ve always believed our vehicles are more than just transportation – they are tools that empower our customers to live, work, and explore. For decades, that meant building trucks and vans that could haul heavy loads, navigate rugged terrain, and stand up to the toughest jobs.
Today, as outdoor recreation thrives and work-life boundaries blur, our definition of empowerment is expanding. We’re not just moving people and cargo. We’re moving power itself, directly into the hands of those who need it most, wherever they may be.
This is the promise of Pro Power Onboard, a feature that is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of our electrified vehicle lineup, particularly in the Ford F-150 Lightning. It’s more than just an inverter; it’s a fully integrated, robust power station designed to unlock unprecedented levels of productivity, adventure, and resilience.
Consider the traditional challenges faced by professionals working in remote locations, adventurers seeking to extend their time off-grid, or groups looking to build memories while camping, tailgating. or traveling. The hum of a gas generator, the constant worry about fuel, the scramble for outlets, the limitations of battery packs – these have long been accepted as necessary evils. But what if those limitations could be eliminated? What if your vehicle could silently and reliably power your entire operation, miles from the nearest grid connection?
This isn't a hypothetical question for people like Scott Rinckenberger, Scott, an acclaimed outdoor photographer, traverses wild landscapes across the country in search of the perfect shot. His work demands long days in unpredictable conditions, far from any conventional power source. For years, he relied on a gas-powered F-150, a trusty companion until nature intervened, and a falling tree totaled his truck. This unexpected event opened the door to a profound transformation in his workflow.
Scott chose a 2024 F-150 Lightning Flash, and as he puts it, it was "love at first drive." But it was Pro Power Onboard that truly revolutionized his professional life. With up to 9.6 kW of exportable power available directly from his truck, Scott’s F-150 Lightning became a silent, mobile office. He can now charge his cameras, drones, and laptop on the fly, editing photos from a remote trailhead, extending his time in the field, and capturing that perfect light while plugging them in as he goes – ultimately leading to a superior outcome for his work.
Ford Pro Power Onboard
Pro Power Onboard allows folks like Scott to stay on location longer, reducing trips back to a home base. This convenience enables a more efficient, more immersive, and ultimately, more sustainable way of working and traveling.
Pro Power Onboard isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but a scalable system designed to meet diverse needs. In the F-150 Lightning, for instance, customers can choose from 2.4 kW or the mighty 9.6 kW (on certain trims; standard on Platinum F-150 Lightning), offering a combination of 120V and 240V outlets. This means the ability to power everything from sensitive camera equipment and laptops to heavy-duty power tools, lighting rigs, or even a small mobile workshop. In other Ford vehicles like the F-150 Hybrid, Maverick Hybrid, and E-Transit, Pro Power Onboard offers varying power levels, from 2.0 kW to 7.2 kW, extending this versatile capability across a broad spectrum of customer needs.
Power Onboard is Convenient
Simply put, when paired with an electric vehicle, Pro Power Onboard represents a significant leap forward in clean, efficient, and quiet power generation. It eliminates the need for separate, often noisy and polluting, gas generators for many applications, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional remote work and outdoor activities. It empowers those who work in the field, like Scott, to embrace a lifestyle that aligns with their environmental values, allowing them to work from anywhere without compromising their commitment to sustainability.
This feature isn't just for photographers or contractors. It’s also for those who want to set up their office by a lake, the adventurer who needs to power their campsite, the small business owner who requires mobile power for their tools, or even the homeowner seeking reliable backup power during an outage. Pro Power Onboard is about giving drivers unprecedented control over their energy needs, fostering greater independence and flexibility.
As Scott Rinckenberger confidently states when asked if the F-150 Lightning is a 'real truck,' his answer is simple: “It's better.”
Bill Crider is Ford’s Senior Director of Global Charging and Energy Services