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I wrote earlier this week about how Ford was going “all in” on electrification. It all started with the Mustang Mach-E (which of course I’ve written extensively about including my first drive thoughts), but recently Ford Motor Company Chief Operating Officer Jim Farley mentioned the company’s “big bet” on electrification. And they’re even launching an EV version of their very popular Ford Transit cargo van for commercial use.
What Will The Electric Ford F-150 Look Like?
Now, we know a little more about the EV Ford F-150. First, let’s be clear, this is happening. Ford launched an impressive video of the prototype F-150 towing more than a million pounds of cargo trains loaded with F-150s. It was quite the showoff. This was not a publicity stunt.
It’s a big gamble for Ford to “mess” with the recipe for success for the F-150, which is the best-selling vehicle in America. Of course Ford has shown to be the gambler by also messing with the hallowed Mustang name too and making a four-door, electrified crossover. So, will Ford be so bold as to drastically modify the 2022 EV F-150?
Based on this rendering provided to us by F150Gen14.com, we can see some styling hints with the Mach-E. The grille is the specific area where the EV F-150 takes a big change. Ford’s styling team seems to make a drastic change on the grille from what we’ve seen with the current generation F-150. In fact, from this rendering, the grille has some resemblance to that of the Mach-E with a cleaned-up closed grille.
Additionally, we see the headlights have a much different look, rather than the stacked-up look of the current generation. I wrote this week about some recall issues going on with the daytime running lights and the headlamps of 2018-2020 Ford F-150s. We can hope that this minor issue is resolved for the EV version of the F-150.
What Range Will The 2022 EV Ford F-150 Have?
The 2022 EV Ford F-150 is expected to have a range that exceeds 300 miles although those details aren’t confirmed at all by Ford. Ford has partnered with Rivian to share battery technology. So, if we assume that the EV F-150 will be similar to Rivian’s R1T pickup then it might even have 400+ mile range with a 180-kWh battery configuration.
How Much Towing Capacity Will The 2022 EV Ford F-150 Have?
If we compare the EV F-150 to the Rivian R1T, then we have a good feel for what the future electrified F-150 might be able to tow. The R1T has a payload capacity of more than 1,700 pounds and a trailer weight rating exceeding 11,000 pounds.
If Ford’s video of the prototype EV F-150 pulling more than a million pounds was accurate and not some kind of gimmick or trick, then you can be assured that payload and towing won’t be limited with this EV F-150.
When Will The 2022 F-150 EV Be Released?
Again this information is unconfirmed by Ford, but one source claims the model year 2022 F-150 EV will be released in the 2021 calendar year, which may beat the Tesla Cybertruck to market. The Cybertruck is Ford’s primary target with the F-150 EV.
According to the same source, Ford will release the 2021 F-150 hybrid later this year. It will be interesting to see how that truck is received. There’s more negative feelings surrounding hybrids than EVs. Informed consumers know that pure electric vehicles have plenty of power and torque, but they don’t feel that way about hybrids.
Ford’s Plans for Hybrid and Electrified F-150
Ford recently announced that they were investing $750 million into a production facility in Wayne, Michigan that would add more than 2,700 jobs. This investment is part of Ford’s global initiative to produce more hybrid and battery electric vehicles, including the F-150. Both a hybrid and EV version of the F-150 are planned.
Sherif Marakby is the vice president of Autonomous and Electric Vehicles for Ford and he said, “Throwing a charger in the trunk of a vehicle and sending customers on their way isn’t enough to help promote the viability of electric vehicles. In addition to expanding our electric vehicle lineup, we are redesigning the ownership experience to ensure it addresses customer pain points that currently hold back broad adoption today.”
Farley added, “Hybrids for years have been mostly niche products but are now on the cusp of a mainstream breakout. The valuable capability they offer – plus fuel efficiency – is why we’re going to offer hybrid variants of our most popular and high-volume vehicles, allowing our loyal, passionate customers to become advocates for the technology.”
In 2020, Ford will unveil a hybrid F-150. Shortly thereafter Ford will debut an all-electric F-150. They’ve already released a video showing the towing capability of the electrified pickup truck. These trucks will be built in the Dearborn Truck Plant, where Ford just invested to accommodate the increase in production.
Now will the truck community embrace an electric pickup truck? I think it's smart for Ford to be the first out of the gate with this. They've always been innovators in the truck world, so why not test the waters with an electrified EV F-150? Be sure to let me know if you're on board with an electric F-150 by commenting below.
Image credit: F150Gen14.com. Used with written permission.
Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.
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Comments
I am very interested in the F
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I am very interested in the F-150 EV not so much the hybrid, but living in Australia (we seem to be treated as the backwater to the motoring industry), I don't feel confident that we will see a right hand drive in this decade from Ford, not so much the Tesla CyberTruck, availability looks like 2023
Honestly, I'd love a Hybrid
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Honestly, I'd love a Hybrid F150. Low down torque and better mileage, it's a win-win.
I’d drive one but wouldn’t
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I’d drive one but wouldn’t buy an electric Ford F150. I think it’s sweet as far as an electrical vehicle goes. Not my thing as I love the sound of a motor, but when it comes to driving an electric vehicle, I think it’s sweet! Most of the electric cars don't look nice. Like they have to make them look funny to be an electric vehicle
It would definitely be a
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In reply to I’d drive one but wouldn’t by James (not verified)
It would definitely be a blast to drive, no doubt.
I like the electric F-150 for
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I like the electric F-150 for 100%. Will probably buy when it comes out unless they try selling it for 70-80k
As much as Ford will be
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As much as Ford will be targeting the Cybertruck on the internet, my guess is that they will be far more concerned about GMC's EV Hummer, and Chevy Sierra EV pickup, which are both due out by the end of 2021. GM's offerings will be much more mainstream in design and more likely to tempt away traditional F150 pickup buyers. The Cybertruck is supposed to be delivered at the beginning of 2021, but like the Model Y, I suspect that it may come out earlier. Perhaps late this year. Tesla will be concentrating on delivering the backlog of pre-orders for the Model Y as a priority, but with over a half million per-orders for the Cybertruck they may ramp up production early. The Rivian R1T pickup is due out this year, so it is likely going to pick up many EV pickup early adopters as buyers. Ford has capped the production of the Mach-E to match the availability of batteries, but the Mach-E will most likely be their EV priority this year. Their F150 plug in hybrid was a logical extension of their PHEV Energi line from the (now gone) CMax Energi PHEV, to the Fusion Energi PHEV. I think that the PHEV F150 will work fine, providing strong acceleration and very good fuel economy. But I think that Ford was originally planning for the PHEV F150 to extend Ford's EV efforts for another 3-4 years, before Tesla and Rivian reset their EV F150 timetable. Still, comparatively the Mach-E was originally going to be a compliance model Focus based EV crossover before the Tesla Model 3 had such a big market impact, and the Model Y was announced. As much as I don't like calling the Mach-E a Mustang, getting the Mustang's styling elements, and performance elements has elevated the Mach-E to be far more than just a compliance car that barely competes against the Bolt. Similarly, the Cybertruck and Hummer have pushed up the timetable and performance/range expectations of the EV F150. I don't expect to see the EV F150 on the streets early, but it is definitely coming before 2022. And that is good news!
The problem I have is the
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The problem I have is the range and the time spent charging. If you are only using the truck around town then electric would be nice. For me, my truck is mostly used for long trips and the last thing I would want Is to be limited to how far I can travel and then have to sit around and wait for a charge. They say it takes about 30 to 40 minutes and that is only an 80 % charge. Leaving even less mileage between charges. If I’m up at a remote camp site the last thing I want to be concerned about is if I have enough charge. I can alway bring extra gas with my conventional truck. As far as price savings, there really isn’t a whole bunch to save when you take into account the extra cost. In some cases it’s more expensive for electric. Maybe a hybrid might make sense.
Range with towing will be the
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In reply to The problem I have is the by Ash (not verified)
Range with towing will be the vital stat for sure.
Pure EVs are simply not a
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Pure EVs are simply not a perfect choice for all buyer's needs. But that's Ok. The truck market is huge. And particular truck buyer needs for range and utility explain the many configurations and models available today from entry level base models to commercial/industrial strength versions. When truck production resumes, the delay will no doubt slow the EV plans of all of the major automakers. Despite lower gas prices, Ford will hopefully still come out with the plug in hybrid version of the F150 later this year. And for all of the truck buyers who want the benefits of a full EV, the EV F150 will eventually be built, just later than originally planned.
The hybrid is still a go.
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The hybrid is still a go.
Can't wait to buy the F150 EV
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Can't wait to buy the F150 EV. Don't see the point of a hybrid when you have to fuel with gas and electric just to have a little better gas mileage. I certainly hope they have at least 300 mile capacity on the batteries since they do go down over time.
That 300 mile range will be
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In reply to Can't wait to buy the F150 EV by Mark Campbell (not verified)
That 300 mile range will be vital, but what will that range be if you tow? That is what will determine how successful the EV F-150 will be.
Very good point.
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In reply to That 300 mile range will be by Jimmy Dinsmore
Very good point.
I have a 24ft fishing boat
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I have a 24ft fishing boat that my IC F150 tows easily. If I can get 250 miles on a charge with the boat in tow, deal! If the most popular vehicle in the US went electric, within 10 years, you could see nearly 1 million fewer IC emission producing trucks on the road. Make that a trend across the personal vehicle industry, and we are headed for a better place. My wife has a Tesla Model 3 sport . The torque/acceleration is almost frightening. When you pass and merge, you’re looking in front of you, not in the rear view. Looking forward to driving one ASAP.
The Ford EV truck model has
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The Ford EV truck model has to have the range 350+, and it must be able to tow the load and hold a good range. I'm holding off purchasing till next year and waiting for the Ford EV to come out. It also has to come with new Insurance lowering features of front and rear cameras for constant image capture to lower my insurance payments; and a standard size bed that holds all the existing bed accessories (ladder racks, tool chests, bed replacements, etc...), which Tesla does not have. I'm not going to make another investment in accessories that I can't move over to a new fleet of electric EV trucks, it's just too costly. I'm also expecting that Ford and/or Ford Dealerships are going to offer "charging" options and "charging" locations.
The Ford EV truck model has
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The Ford EV truck model has to have the range 350+, and it must be able to tow the load and hold a good range. I'm holding off purchasing till next year and waiting for the Ford EV to come out. It also has to come with new Insurance lowering features of front and rear cameras for constant image capture to lower my insurance payments; and a standard size bed that holds all the existing bed accessories (ladder racks, tool chests, bed replacements, etc...), which Tesla does not have. I'm not going to make another investment in accessories that I can't move over to a new fleet of electric EV trucks, it's just too costly. I'm also expecting that Ford and/or Ford Dealerships are going to offer "charging" options and "charging" locations.
Back in January I stopped at
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Back in January I stopped at my local Ford dealer to find out when I could put a deposit on the F 150 EV AND HE TOLD ME MAYBE IN NOVEMBER, I ASKED HIM IF I COULD GET THE FIRST ONE AND HE SAID NO PROBLEM , I’VE PURCHASED 3 TRUCKS FROM THEM OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS, SO I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS TRUCK , NO MORE GAS , OIL , AND SERVICES JUST BRAKES AND TIRES !
I have owned 3 consecutive F
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I have owned 3 consecutive F-150's, currently a 2018. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER TRUCK UNTIL ITS AN ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLE. Hey Ford, hurry up already! Your customers have been waiting for years.