You can help with your ProPower! (potential disaster relief group forming)

[BeeKind]

Hi all - We're looking for a preliminary show of hands. A few of us "organizers" are trying to get a sense of who may be willing to help out with disaster relief in the continental US. Ultimately our "hook" is going to be exportable power. The loose idea is going to be as we scale electrification and exportable power becomes more prevalent, there's going going to be a period where people like us have the ability to ease recovery efforts.

An F150 Powerboost or Lightning with any configuration of ProPower coming in with fuel to a large region without both could have a very positive impact on peoples lives and potentially even save some. Right now we're trying to get a show of hands, just a general sense of the amount of people that may be interested in queuing up ahead of time. We do expect for more people to volunteer when an emergency arrives as is often the case.

Ultimately we want the do-gooders to not be burdened with costs and I've personally been involved with "cause marketing" for over 20 years. Essentially you convince big brands to shift part of their PR budget to a worthy cause in exchange for nabbing good press for them. It's a win/win/win as the employees at these brands are just like us, people who want to do good and would rather spend it here than on a a-list spokesperson.

To that end I've reached out to a number of OEMs and organizations and have gotten tentative interest. Ford replied that they're working with Team Rubicon on relief efforts and there could potentially be something there. Team Rubicon told me that they're already using these solutions to power their operations. We don't plan to form an organization ourselves but rather hook up with NGOs already doing good work on the ground. It repeatedly comes up that many people like working with the Red Cross or Salvation Army and absolutely! Whomever is willing to work with and deploy with us in the given area. Our goals are helping people in time of need and demonstrating the benefits of our beefy inverters which most garages can demand over the coming years.

Every situation is different but a common denominator is after hurricanes, regions are without electricity and are depleted of fuel with inability to replenish. Ultimately as a group we will coordinate all logistics around bringing in the ability to generate, store and provide reliable electricity. If there's an 85-year old person on dialysis that needs that and AC to run and the local hospital is already over-saturated? That's a big deal! Perhaps they need us to run a command center. We raise our hands and say "we have these vehicles, these supplies, and can provide this many AC circuits at these currents for these periods of time" and let the organization tell us where to go.

As F150 owners expect to have your bed used or to be pulling something. As Lightning owners, likely that's going to mean some kind of generator and fossil fuel. In the background we will collect media to push to social media and traditional news outlets demonstrating the flexibility that hybrid and BEV drive-trains bring
not only to every day life but in emergencies.

We've already made a thread on the Ioniq forums and looks like we'll be able to get a few of those to show up for a first time. Let's show them up and bring them generators and fuel to keep them topped off when they arrive

Really excited about this guys, in DMs and even with the initial interest generated, I think we have the ability to do some good and generate some headlines already! There's a small chance we deploy something for Beryl but we're definitely aiming more for a "next time." This scales to whatever size we want it to be and the need will definitely be there.

Unrelated PSA: Always use a tarp when using oversized buckets to move Earth.

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[hturnerfamily]

it's not inconceivable that many with EVs, especially with 120v/240v output, could help in situations like these, but one thought is that, unfortunately, like with Ft Myers and Hurricane IAN, GETTING to those locations is problematic, if not impossible, and even with 'some' power available when you arrive, you also have to have enough to then 'leave', as there would have been NO electricity for many weeks, if not months, to recharge with.

If an owner there, and their truck survived, it's realistic for them to then use what the truck is designed to provide, yes, but anyone else 'going to' help them might be a whole other issue, sadly.

 

[BeeKind]

it's not inconceivable that many with EVs, especially with 120v/240v output, could help in situations like these, but one thought is that, unfortunately, like with Ft Myers and Hurricane IAN, GETTING to those locations is problematic, if not impossible, and even with 'some' power available when you arrive, you also have to have enough to then 'leave', as there would have been NO electricity for many weeks, if not months, to recharge with.

If an owner there, and their truck survived, it's realistic for them to then use what the truck is designed to provide, yes, but anyone else 'going to' help them might be a whole other issue, sadly.

If there's one thing my experience has taught me it's that my experience means jack. Every disaster and even every hurricane brings with it different challenges. That being said, if you're traveling with rescue workers, they tend to make ways.

You need to make yourself "special" which isn't a problem. On short notice on Beryl we won't have that kind of coordination (if we can even identify a need and place to deploy) but in the future if we're coming in with a couple of dozen vehicles with established relationship with a relief organization, special permissions, police escorts, etc. tend to become easy things to get.

Never once have I ever had a problem getting to something. My father (FDNY, now retired) responded to 9/11 in the back of a pickup with no lights and sirens from Queens. You can always get there.

If there's a need, this won't be an issue. Also, you bring your fuel with you and a generator, you can go in perpetuity.

 

[BeeKind]

Contact has been made with a few organizations currently operating in Houston, if you can volunteer your time and vehicle on short notice, please let me know!

 

[BeeKind]

Looks like we're going to deploy 1 truck for now as a pilot potentially with an organization I've been talking with. Will fill in details once it's all final. I'm planning to go down there and make use of the truck however they can use it and make the actual goal to collect media so we can rally for next time.

I give it a 50-50 shot of whether the truck is needed, Houston area utilities are saying 80% restored by Sunday, though there's a disbelief in them being able to come through.

All-in-all very positive, it was always better to get our ducks in a row for a next time and this is a slam dunk to that end. We'll have something solid to rally around. I will for sure try and get corporate sponsorship with what we obtain, I'd give that a 50-50 shot too. Getting expenses covered I think would seal the deal on this project's future success.

Thanks guys for the show of hands, keep on voting and I'm now convinced we can field at least a few "cells" when there's a next time and we're organized ahead of time.

 

[Danface]

It's a great idea and, like always, the devil is in the details like access to the area and distance to working chargers etc.

 

[PreservedSwine]

I think this idea has the best of intentions.
We’ve gone through multiple hurricanes in Fort Myers, power has been out from several days to several weeks. That being said, there’s a fair chance most of the trucks being sent to help wouldn't be much help, and, assuming they’d arrive quickly enough to help, would runinto problems recharging themselves.
There are a plethora of agencies and plans already in motion before any hurricane hits. The Governor will have already declared a state of emergency, emergency services from neighboring states will have already amassed, and the second the storm is over the amount of activity is stunning.
The logistics to run efficiently make other ideas more helpful in comparison. In the initial days after a severe hurricane, the main priorities are fuel and water. Gas stations may be out of fuel for several days to a week or two. Without hand in hand cooperation from State and local authorities, any help being sent would ultimately use more resources than they could deliver.
If your truck is in the affected area, help your neighbors if you can. Most of mine already have generators, but if they don’t, they’re more than welcome to chill at our place.

 

[invertedspear]

@BeeKind Are you representing an NPO or something? Or is this a new thing you're trying to launch?

 

[BeeKind]

I can say now that we’ve met and are all getting along very well (these guys rock) that I’m working with Cajun Navy Relief. This has legs guys we have good footage and pics to pull together into a call of action. Still trying to figure the best play, Lightning focus? Lightning and PowerBoost focus? EV that can export power focus? Each push has advantages and disadvantages.

The pilot is going very well. We’ve hooked up a single woman with a very ill child who was in tears because she’s been calling places for 7 days, desperate. Mail lady who we got from one of her houses she delivers to was very excited to send her our way.

Amazing stuff guys, I can tell you for certain people would pour in to help people like this from the surrounding areas especially with a known group in the local area like Cajun Navy Relief. The reactions have been 110% positive.

I’ll post the video and social stuff that’s going to post to to their channels when it’s live. Expect a day or so for the video.

 

[BeeKind]

Hey everyone. Don't want to leave you hanging. I'm waiting to post a video/call to action for next time until we have everything hammered out. I was working on something just now to convey a concept to provide power to facilities. Figured I could share this while I'm working out the details of what we'll call ourselves and whose banner we'll operate under. (Cajun Navy Relief <CNR> still the leading contender to use us, but TBD, it's whichever organization makes sense).

Right now we have video recorded with CNR people that show the deployment during Beryl relief, showing the needs and how we can help. All truly positive stuff, if we participate we'll make a difference for certain.

I'm pushing to be able to provide power to a facility. If you were a place that fed the homeless, you lost all your food. Finding individuals who need help can be hard, enabling facilities is a concrete place we can help many. I spoke to a JCC (Jewish Community Center) who wanted something exactly like this as well that could have housed people in an emergency basis if we were prepared to deploy.

Generally speaking, charities don't have tons of money for power backup solutions. If we go in with an electrician (already on board, a lot is happening behind the scenes) something like the below is totally in the cards. There will be more need than we can fill, guaranteed, even for a cat 1.

I will tell you that if you get involved you get the ultimate, "I used my truck as a truck badge" cause ultimately you're a last mile machine here. Pallet of this gets moved there, maybe you have a trade you're employing in some manner. Just the truck gets used in all kinds of truck ways and the people you meet and work with are amazeballs.

More information (with clarity!) pending.

 

[cal]

I can say now that we’ve met and are all getting along very well (these guys rock) that I’m working with Cajun Navy Relief. This has legs guys we have good footage and pics to pull together into a call of action. Still trying to figure the best play, Lightning focus? Lightning and PowerBoost focus? EV that can export power focus? Each push has advantages and disadvantages.

The pilot is going very well. We’ve hooked up a single woman with a very ill child who was in tears because she’s been calling places for 7 days, desperate. Mail lady who we got from one of her houses she delivers to was very excited to send her our way.

Amazing stuff guys, I can tell you for certain people would pour in to help people like this from the surrounding areas especially with a known group in the local area like Cajun Navy Relief. The reactions have been 110% positive.

I’ll post the video and social stuff that’s going to post to to their channels when it’s live. Expect a day or so for the video.

How long did you run this and did you lock your vehicle turned on?

Amazon delivered a 24v/120v portable 30 qt freezer this week. The wife is a nut about really cold ice cream so yesterday we pre cooled the freezer on ac power at home before we left. She wanted 0 degrees but it only got down to 4 according to the display. Loaded it up in the frunk, started the cooler on ProPower 120v outlet and went shopping all day.

The first stop was at Walmart. We left the climate control on (AC) and the truck running. Used the door button lock to secure the vehicle. My understanding is that the truck has to be on to use Propower. Door locks went down but the FordPass app did not show locked. Also the side mirrors did not fold. Everything seemed fine upon return to the truck (about 1/2 hr). No change in GOM range estimate.

Continued on the Costco (23 miles away) and another hr of shopping. Again left the truck running with both climate control and freezer running, Picked up frozen ice cream bars.

Stopped at HomeDepot (another 8 miles for 1/2 hr). Same routine. Then returned home. Ice cream was still solid but the cooler got pretty hot sitting in the frunk in 95 degree temps.

So I basically kept the trunk on for about 4hrs running a cooler. Never noticed a big drop in the GOM's range estimate. m/kWh while driving was not very different from usual.

Here's my final data contrasting the two trips.

Seemed like range estimate dropped maybe 4 miles. It was a much hotter day but it only cost us another 13 cents. Still not sure if I'm doing this right (leaving the truck running). It just feels so insecure. But it was locked and no on stole our truck.

 

[BeeKind]

How long did you run this and did you lock your vehicle turned on?

Amazon delivered a 24v/120v portable 30 qt freezer this week. The wife is a nut about really cold ice cream so yesterday we pre cooled the freezer on ac power at home before we left. She wanted 0 degrees but it only got down to 4 according to the display. Loaded it up in the frunk, started the cooler on ProPower 120v outlet and went shopping all day.

The first stop was at Walmart. We left the climate control on (AC) and the truck running. Used the door button lock to secure the vehicle. My understanding is that the truck has to be on to use Propower. Door locks went down but the FordPass app did not show locked. Also the side mirrors did not fold. Everything seemed fine upon return to the truck (about 1/2 hr). No change in GOM range estimate.

Continued on the Costco (23 miles away) and another hr of shopping. Again left the truck running with both climate control and freezer running, Picked up frozen ice cream bars.

Stopped at HomeDepot (another 8 miles for 1/2 hr). Same routine. Then returned home. Ice cream was still solid but the cooler got pretty hot sitting in the frunk in 95 degree temps.

So I basically kept the trunk on for about 4hrs running a cooler. Never noticed a big drop in the GOM's range estimate. m/kWh while driving was not very different from usual.

Here's my final data contrasting the two trips.

Seemed like range estimate dropped maybe 4 miles. It was a much hotter day but it only cost us another 13 cents. Still not sure if I'm doing this right (leaving the truck running). It just feels so insecure. But it was locked and no on stole our truck.

That's a very good observation and one made myself. My working theory (need to confirm this) is that it's energizing each circuit in perpetuity at the current stated because that's kind of how AC power works on some level. You make the power available on the circuit to use and you can choose to use it. Or not. It's there.

Running solo, she had an AC, fridge and other misc stuff that equated to about 1kW draw. That draw was pretty constant since everything was hot. Once it cooled off the apartment the draw dropped.

Sometime between now and I want to say the 4th time doing this we should be able to nab some OEMs or battery makers help. What's cool about working in relief is you get to walk around with your hands out. You may not get paid well but you're usually well equipped.

Heck, I'll just say one of the really cool ideas we have. There's this dude, most stereotypical canjun man in the world who is a barge captain on the Mississppi who is with the organization, he's the one I filmed to do our call to action. He wants to build and electric fan boat (they already do relief work with fan boats, gas) and I see no reason not to say find a content creator who does these kinds of crazy things to work with. I really think that has potential since we can put it to use for good and get some really good content for their channel. Electric fan boat would prove mighty useful for a number of reasons you wouldn't think. Volume, is one thing, you can hear people on roofs yelling for help better. He's really excited about tinkering a fan boat into creation so just based on that alone I think it has a decent shot. He's also gold on camera too. In the call to action he calls our trucks "even though it's a golf cart with a bed" (he is giving it the nod of approval overall) lolol

 

[cal]

So the leave the truck on, close the doors, (ignore the beep reminding you the trucks running) and just lock it.

Got comments at Costco about the cool truck while we were loading the freezer in the frunk. Funny how many thumbs up I get around town.

 

[BeeKind]

So the leave the truck on, close the doors, (ignore the beep reminding you the trucks running) and just lock it.

Got comments at Costco about the cool truck while we were loading the freezer in the frunk. Funny how many thumbs up I get around town.

Exactly. Lock up and go do good elsewhere.

 

[invertedspear]

How long did you run this and did you lock your vehicle turned on?

Amazon delivered a 24v/120v portable 30 qt freezer this week. The wife is a nut about really cold ice cream so yesterday we pre cooled the freezer on ac power at home before we left. She wanted 0 degrees but it only got down to 4 according to the display. Loaded it up in the frunk, started the cooler on ProPower 120v outlet and went shopping all day.

The first stop was at Walmart. We left the climate control on (AC) and the truck running. Used the door button lock to secure the vehicle. My understanding is that the truck has to be on to use Propower. Door locks went down but the FordPass app did not show locked. Also the side mirrors did not fold. Everything seemed fine upon return to the truck (about 1/2 hr). No change in GOM range estimate.

Continued on the Costco (23 miles away) and another hr of shopping. Again left the truck running with both climate control and freezer running, Picked up frozen ice cream bars.

Stopped at HomeDepot (another 8 miles for 1/2 hr). Same routine. Then returned home. Ice cream was still solid but the cooler got pretty hot sitting in the frunk in 95 degree temps.

So I basically kept the trunk on for about 4hrs running a cooler. Never noticed a big drop in the GOM's range estimate. m/kWh while driving was not very different from usual.

Here's my final data contrasting the two trips.

Seemed like range estimate dropped maybe 4 miles. It was a much hotter day but it only cost us another 13 cents. Still not sure if I'm doing this right (leaving the truck running). It just feels so insecure. But it was locked and no on stole our truck.

During a scheduled power outage was able to methodically set things up and I had my critical items plugged in to pro power (Fridge, small chest freezer, internet router and wifi, TV). It was a cool enough early spring day in Phoenix, so the lack of AC wasn't an issue. Truck was on and running these items for about 4 hours, and the GOM only dropped by 5 miles of range. When going shopping, I never turn the truck off anymore. It's nice getting into a cold car when it's 110F+ out.

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