Electric pickup truck powers local concert

An electric cooperative recently demonstrated the versatility of what electric vehicle (EV) batteries are capable of by powering a local outdoor concert with a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning.

For more than six hours, Kandiyohi Power Cooperative (KPC) helped put on a live music show featuring two bands at The Land, an outdoor event space located in Spicer, Minnesota, with its vehicle. The equipment needed to run the event — including subwoofers, speakers, LED lights, amplifiers, a mixing console, laptop, string lights and more — was plugged into outlets located inside the all-electric pickup truck.

This was made possible because same battery used to drive the Ford Lightning can also be used as a 131 kilowatt-hour mobile power bank — equivalent to an average home’s energy use for three days. In fact, the six hours’ worth of energy provided used just 7% of the mobile power bank’s capacity.

Through just a few outlets within the truck’s front cargo area, cab and bed, KPC was able to highlight to a crowd of people what EVs are capable of beyond simply a mode of transportation.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to showcase the power and capabilities of our electric vehicle at this exciting event. The Lightning’s ability to power a concert for six hours straight shows the potential of electric vehicles to provide power for a wide range of applications, both in urban and rural areas.”

— Chris Radel, data analyst at KPC

The option for EV drivers to carry with them an onboard generator wherever they go adds to the list of other benefits to driving electric, such as lower fuel and maintenance costs as compared to a traditional gas-powered car and better driving performance.

Ford touts its all-electric pickup truck’s extended range model as backup power source for homes for up to three days, if the home is properly equipped. Other practical uses for this feature include powering a construction site, tailgate party or food trucks — even replenishing other EVs through the vehicle’s bi-directional charging capability.

There’s even potential to use the Lightning’s battery as an advantage during Minnesota’s ice fishing and hunting seasons.

“If someone is really serious about ice fishing and has the option between using the power export capabilities of an EV or needing to run a gas-powered generator, I believe they would see a huge advantage in using the EV. That silence is golden and is an aspect I believe they would appreciate,” said Rodney De Fouw, member electrification strategist at Great River Energy. “Finding ways to showcase how an EV can be used to supply power where it would have previously been an issue or detractor just shows another way they can be integrated into our everyday lives.”