Ford Is Developing A $30,000 Midsize Electric Pickup Truck

Ford is developing a $30,000 midsized EV pickup

Ford is making big waves in the electric vehicle market! Despite potential changes to federal EV rebates, the automotive giant is doubling down on US EV production with a massive new initiative. They’re launching a “Universal EV Platform,” which they’ve hailed as a “breakthrough” and even a “Model T moment” for electric cars. The very first vehicle to roll off this innovative platform will be a game-changer: a midsized electric pickup truck, aiming for an incredibly accessible starting price of around $30,000. It’s expected to be similar in size and utility to their popular Maverick pickup.

This new pickup, and future vehicles on the platform, will utilize Ford’s advanced prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. These batteries are praised for their potential to save space and weight, and significantly reduce costs thanks to their cobalt-free and nickel-free composition. However, there’s a catch: Ford is licensing this LFP technology from China’s CATL. This could put them at risk of losing up to $700 million in federal tax credits if Congress passes a bill that restricts government support for battery plants using Chinese technology or materials.

Ford is backing this ambitious plan with substantial investment. They’re pouring $5 billion into their EV future, including a $2 billion investment into their Louisville, Kentucky factory. This comes on top of $3 billion already allocated for their BlueOval battery plant. The Louisville facility will expand by 52,000 square feet, creating or securing nearly 4,000 direct jobs.

Currently, Ford’s electric lineup consists of the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E, both built on unique, standalone platforms. The beauty of this new Universal EV Platform is its versatility. It’s designed to efficiently produce a whole family of vehicles—from vans and cars to crossovers and pickups—making them simpler, faster, and cheaper to build. Ford states this will result in a “simple, efficient, flexible ecosystem to deliver a family of affordable, electric, software-defined vehicles.” They project a 20% reduction in parts, fewer fasteners, and a 15% quicker assembly time compared to a typical vehicle. Plus, they’re even promising a lower five-year cost of ownership than a three-year-old used Tesla Model Y. That’s a bold claim!

So, what about the truck itself? This four-door electric pickup is slated for a 2027 launch. While Ford hasn’t yet revealed its official name or any photos, they’ve teased some exciting details. It’s rumored to be named the Ranchero or Ranger, and promises more interior room than a Toyota RAV4, not even counting the spacious frunk and truck bed. The bed will even feature a clever system for securely locking down gear like bikes or surfboards, eliminating the need for roof or trailer hitch racks. Thanks to its battery placement, it will boast a low center of gravity, deliver instant torque, and hit 0 to 60 mph as fast as a Mustang EcoBoost (around 4.5 seconds), with improved downforce.

Beyond this highly anticipated pickup, Ford has hinted at a wide range of future vehicles built on the platform, showcasing animations of utility vans, crossovers, SUVs, and sedans. While more specifics like the exact reveal date, final starting price, battery range, and charge times for the midsized electric truck are still under wraps, one thing is clear: Ford is making a significant play to bring affordable, efficient electric vehicles to the masses. Get ready for an electric future that’s more accessible than ever.