Using Your EV as Home Backup: Every US Option in 2026
Cybertruck Powershare, F-150 Lightning, Kia EV9 and GM: what each powers, the hardware it needs, what it costs and how many days of backup it holds.
Updated October 27, 2026 · By the OutageWatt team · How we calculate
In short
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Every US option, side by side
Tesla Cybertruck (Powershare)
- To the house
- 11.5 kW
- Battery
- about 123 kWh reported
Powershare Gateway + Universal Wall Connector
about $4,000 installed reported; quotes vary widely
Works alongside a Powerwall 3 since September 10, 2026 (reported). Cybertruck only.
Reported, not yet confirmed by the maker: battery size, hardware cost, Powerwall 3 pairing.
Ford F-150 Lightning (Extended Range)
- To the house
- 9.6 kW
- Battery
- 131 kWh usable on Extended Range, 98 kWh on Standard Range
Ford Charge Station Pro + Home Integration System
Home Integration System $3,895 at 2022 launch, plus about $2,000 install
Production ended December 2025 and Ford lists the Charge Station Pro as no longer for sale: for 2022–2025 trucks already in a driveway.
Reported, not yet confirmed by the maker: battery size, output, production status.
Kia EV9 (Long Range) + Wallbox Quasar 2
- To the house
- 12 kW
- Battery
- 99.8 kWh Long Range, 76.1 kWh Standard
Wallbox Quasar 2 + Power Recovery Unit
$6,440 before tax and installation
Launched in 7 states (CA, TX, FL, NY, WA, NJ, IL); first US installs October 2025.
Reported, not yet confirmed by the maker: output, hardware cost.
GM sells a GM Energy V2H bundle at $8,998 MSRP (accessory listing), and confirms compatibility for the Cadillac Escalade IQ and IQL; other GM EVs are listed by third parties. Rivian has announced vehicle-to-home for the R1 and R2 without a charger on sale. We'll add both to the calculator once the hardware and battery figures are confirmed.
How long each one lasts
| Battery | Usable | Output | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 (1 unit) | 13.5 kWh | 11.5 kW | 24 h |
| Enphase IQ Battery 5P (1 unit) | 5.0 kWh | 3.84 kW | 8.8 h |
| FranklinWH aPower 2 (1 unit) | 15.0 kWh | 10 kW | 26 h |
| Tesla Cybertruck (Powershare) | 98.4 kWh | 11.5 kW | 7.2 days |
| Ford F-150 Lightning (Extended Range) | 104.8 kWh | 9.6 kW | 7.6 days |
| Kia EV9 (Long Range) + Wallbox Quasar 2 | 79.8 kWh | 12 kW | 5.8 days |
| Battery | Usable | Output | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 (1 unit) | 13.5 kWh | 11.5 kW | 3.2 days |
| Enphase IQ Battery 5P (1 unit) | 5.0 kWh | 3.84 kW | 28 h |
| FranklinWH aPower 2 (1 unit) | 15.0 kWh | 10 kW | 3.5 days |
| Tesla Cybertruck (Powershare) | 98.4 kWh | 11.5 kW | 14 days+ |
| Ford F-150 Lightning (Extended Range) | 104.8 kWh | 9.6 kW | 14 days+ |
| Kia EV9 (Long Range) + Wallbox Quasar 2 | 79.8 kWh | 12 kW | 14 days+ |
What to know before you count on it
- The hardware is the project. Each system needs a bidirectional charger and a device that isolates your home from the grid, installed by an electrician (Tesla requires a certified installer for Powershare).
- The car has to be home. If it's the car you'd drive to evacuate, set a reserve: most systems let you stop at 20% or more.
- Output caps what runs: 9.6 to 12 kW covers most homes' essentials, not an electric range, dryer and central AC at once.
- Pairing with a home battery: since September 2026, Cybertruck Powershare is reported to work with a Powerwall 3. See the Powershare guide.
No EV yet? A plug-in power station or a home battery covers the same essentials without tying up the car.
Frequently asked questions
Which EVs can power a house in 2026?
In the US: the Tesla Cybertruck with Powershare, the Ford F-150 Lightning (2022–2025) with Ford's Home Integration System, the Kia EV9 with the Wallbox Quasar 2, and GM EVs with the GM Energy V2H bundle (GM confirms the Escalade IQ and IQL). Rivian has announced vehicle-to-home but no charger is on sale yet.
How long can an EV power a house?
Keeping 20% to drive, a Cybertruck runs an average US home's full load (about 28 kWh a day) for roughly 3.1 days; on essentials only it can last a week or more. Tesla itself says up to 3 days for a home using 30 kWh a day.
Can I just plug my house into my car's outlets?
No. Vehicle outlets (V2L) can power a cord to a fridge or tools, but feeding a house through an outlet backfeeds the grid and can kill line workers. Home backup needs the maker's bidirectional charger and an isolation device installed by an electrician.
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OutageWatt is independent and not affiliated with any brand named here. Specs come from makers' spec sheets and are dated; anything wired into your home needs a licensed electrician and a transfer switch or interlock. Never backfeed through an outlet.