In 2021, Ford made a splash with the introduction of its Pro Power Onboard system. This technology integrates a mobile generator into a vehicle so it can supply 120V or 240V AC power on the go, letting you operate everything from power tools to microwaves. However, the original rollout was limited. The generator was only available on the Ford F-150, you could only choose between a handful of power outputs, and owners were limited to as few as two outlets.
Since then, though, Ford has gradually expanded the reach of Pro Power Onboard. You no longer need to find a Ford F-150 for sale to experience the technology, as it’s now an optional upgrade in several models. The capabilities have also expanded greatly, and with multiple recent announcements, Ford has demonstrated its commitment to Pro Power Onboard—and real-world events have shown how useful it can be. Given everything, I decided the time was appropriate to revisit Pro Power Onboard. Here’s an overview of how the technology has expanded over the past four years and my speculation on what could be next.
The Ways Pro Power Onboard Is Getting Better
Over the past four years, Pro Power Onboard has been on the path from a niche feature to an essential upgrade—and even a standard feature in certain cases. Here are three ways that Ford has made Pro Power Onboard bigger and better since 2021:
More Vehicles
As I said, the F-150 was the lone vehicle initially offered with Pro Power Onboard. Now, the feature is available on a small fleet of models. In addition to the best-selling F-150, the mobile generator is an optional add-on on all Ford Super Duty trucks (such as the F-250 and F-350) along with the Ford E-Transit commercial van. Finally, after being an available feature on the Ford F-150 Lightning when the electric truck debuted in 2022, this model is now the sole vehicle where Pro Power Onboard comes standard.
More Power
The juice on the Ford F-150 remains the same with 2 kW, 2.4 kW, and 7.2 kW options (although the 7.2 kW generator is only available on the F-150 Hybrid). On the F-150 Lightning, though, Ford now offers a 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard for even more possibilities. This supersized generator is standard on the F-150 Lightning Platinum and an optional upgrade on all other trims (the base Lighting system is 2.4 kW on the XLT, Flash, and Lariat). Currently, the F-150 Super Duty is limited to 2 kW of power, and the E-Transit is only sold a 2.4 kW system.
More Outlets
Although two 120V AC outlets are still the standard on the 2 kW and 2.4 kW F-150 Pro Power Onboard systems, you can expand them to four outlets, letting you plug more appliances in directly without needing a power strip. The 7.2 kW system is now expandable to six 120V AC outlets alongside a 240V outlet. And on an F-150 Lightning with the 9.6 kW option, 11 outlets are spread throughout the vehicle, so you can plug in wherever it is most convenient. Although the Ford E-Transit only has two outlets, they are operable when driving the vehicle, letting you run power tool battery chargers, mini-fridges, and more between stops.
Pro Power Comes to the Ranger—Overseas, Anyway
I can already say for a fact the current lineup isn’t the end of Ford’s plans for Pro Power Onboard. In September 2023, Ford announced the Ranger plug-in hybrid would debut in early 2025—and that this new midsize pickup would include Ford’s portable generator technology. More information was released in September 2024, with Ford revealing a 2.3 kW Pro Power Onboard system will be standard with a 6.9 kW system as an upgrade.
Here’s the catch: the Ford Ranger PHEV won’t be available in North America. In the beginning, this truck will exclusively be sold in the European, Australian, and New Zealand markets. So far, there has been no word on when the Ford Ranger PHEV might reach American shores. However, Ford stated in April 2024 that its goal is to have hybrid versions of every “Ford Blue” internal combustion engine vehicle in its North American lineup by 2030. Considering the Ford Ranger is one of those vehicles, I imagine it’s only a matter of time before American truck owners can buy a Ranger PHEV with Pro Power Onboard.
Pro Power Onboard and the Rumored Ford Super Duty Hybrid
The April 2024 declaration also tangentially connects to the next big possibility regarding Ford’s onboard generators. Officially, the Ford Super Duty is considered a “Ford Pro” vehicle and thus doesn’t fall under the Ford Blue hybrid goal. Regardless, industry experts believe a Super Duty hybrid will eventually come to pass. This could mean a big Pro Power Onboard system will come with it. Instead of a mere 2 kW—and the irony that a work vehicle where generator power is a prized asset is restricted to the lowest output—we would likely see something along the lines of the 7.2 kW system on the F-150 hybrid. Given the bigger engines in the Ford Super Duty, there might be even more kilowatts.
When could a Ford Super Duty hybrid or plug-in hybrid come along? According to the most recent reports, the Super Duty will get a mid-cycle design refresh in 2026, and the next generation is coming in 2028. Both are potential times to introduce a hybrid, but the major overhaul in 2028 might be more opportune. I’ll be interested to see what details leak out.
Pro Power Onboard Demonstrates Its Worth
This system was promoted as a way to get more done on work sites or hold special gatherings with friends. But when disaster strikes, Pro Power Onboard has truly shined. Several stories came out in 2024 about people using their Ford trucks to generate necessary power during major outages. The news wrote about people in and around Houston turning to their Pro Power Onboard system in the wake of July’s Hurricane Beryl and the resulting power outages. A few months later, we saw reports of Ford F-150 owners in South Carolina and Florida turning to their vehicles after Hurricane Helene to power homes and even keep businesses open.
Such reports stress the value of having an integrated generator and speak to Pro Power Onboard’s long-term potential. Whether it’s being used to run welders, show backyard big-screen movies, or provide a saving grace when extreme weather strikes, this technology is here to deliver.
Where Could Pro Power Onboard Show Up Next?
Clearly, Pro Power Onboard has proven itself. So, which vehicles might be on the list for future availability? Ford is notorious for refusing to comment on any story until there are facts to confirm, so there’s no real inclination on what could happen. Instead, I’ve made my picks for which vehicles should get the Pro Power Onboard treatment:
- Ford Expedition: As Ford’s only full-size, body-on-frame SUV, it’s primed to spend time off-road, making generator power extremely valuable.
- Ford Maverick: This compact truck is already sold as a hybrid, which means it could support higher-end Pro Power Onboard technology for adventuring.
- Ford Explorer: The famed midsize SUV could power appliances in small campers or support a sweet tailgate party with an onboard generator.
- Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport: Two more off-road-oriented vehicles where a generator would come in handy for running campground lights, charging electric dirt bikes, and other tasks.
Time will tell whether this speculation matches reality. There may be future opportunities as well to fine-tune the setup in existing vehicles with more power and outlets. Either way, I’m interested to see how Ford continues to build on the impressive start for Pro Power Onboard.
