Ford F-150 Electric: New details revealed

Ford has revealed the electric F-150 utility scheduled for production by mid-2022 will have more power and torque than any other model in the range and will also accelerate faster.

While it didn’t put concrete numbers around those claims, they shouldn’t surprise too much even if the orthodox F-150 does come with the choice of some big V8 and V6 petrol and diesel engines as well as a twin-turbo V6 in the high-performance Raptor version.

Importantly, Ford is also claiming the electric version of America’s biggest-selling vehicle will have “the ability to tow heavy trailers”.

One thing Ford didn’t discuss was the range the F-150 EV will offer. As we reported here, the company’s product chief has previously played down expectations in this regard.

To back that up Ford has issued a video showing the electric F-150 towing a trailer uphill as well as being driven in steep and muddy off-road conditions.

Electric motors are expected to make off-road vehicles more capable than they are today.

Expected to be badged F-150 Electric, it will take on a burgeoning number of BEV trucks including the Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, Lordstown Endurance, Nikola Badger, a Chevrolet and others.

Ford is yet to reveal too much on the drivetrain side when it comes to F-150 EV, but it it has confirmed it will come with a dual motor set-up. And it claims the electric F-150 will be 40 percent cheaper to maintain over the vehicle life than an ICE equivalent.

The F-150 Electric will also debut new technology that will allow it to function as a mobile power generator at campsites and worksites.

That goes along with the product planning pitch for the electric F-150. While the likes of the R1T and Cybertruck are lifestyle vehicles, the Ford is designed to be a worker.

New company boss Jim Farley dubbed it a “workhorse” not a “showhorse”.

Ford is also promising the F-150 will have a “giant front trunk” or frunk, something EVs can offer depending on the positioning of their powertrains.

Over the air updates will also be included with the F-150 EV, a feature also offered with the electric Mustang Mach-E. That potentially means more features or functionality could be offered throughout the vehicle’s life.

Ford has also revealed it is spending US$700 million ($957 million) to install a new high-tech facility within the huge Rouge assembly plant in Detroit to make the electric F-150.

Ford revealed the details about the F-150 Electric at the same time it commenced production of the new F-150 hybrid version.

There is no word yet on whether the F-150 Electric will make it to Australia.

The big blocker is whether it will be available in right-hand drive. Currently the factory only produces F-150s with the steering wheel on the left.

Ford Australia has for years said it would like a right-hand drive version of the F-150.

The most recent comments were from former Ford Australia president and CEO Kay Hart, who said “we continue to ask [Ford head office in Detroit] and make sure people understand there is a market”.

Ford Australia has already trademarked “F-150” and “F-150 Raptor”, confirming that interest.

Helping the cause could be the success Ford Australia has experienced with the Mustang sports car. Now sourced from the factory with the steering wheel on the right the Mustang is one of Ford’s most popular models and regularly the top-selling sports car.

Of course locally-converted Ford F-150s have been available for some time through small conversion companies, although they tend to be very expensive – typically the wrong side of $100K.

From 2001 until 2006 Ford Australia also imported the heavy duty F-250 and F-350 versions that underwent a left- to right-hand drive conversion in Brazil.