Electric Ford F-150s confirmed
Ford has taken the wraps off the 14th generation F-150 pick-up truck, confirmed it’s adding a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid to the line-up and that a much-anticipated battery electric version will be delivered within 24 months.
But what it hasn’t done is give right-hand drive ute-loving markets like Australia any hope of seeing a factory-built electric, hybrid or any other version of the world’s best-selling vehicle.
Instead, it seems the Australian electric ute market will be serviced by new-age contenders like the Tesla Cybertruck, Nikola Badger, Rivian R1T and maybe even the Australian H2X ‘Mad Max’ ute.
The launch of the new F-150 shed no light on Ford’s technical plans for the EV model. Back in July 2019 the blue oval performed a publicity stunt where a prototype pulled a 453,000kg (1 million lb) train. Since then, pretty much all quiet.
The delivery date by June 2022 for the F-150 EV was confirmed last week, along with an electric Transit van.
One thing that has been confirmed is the F-150 and the R1T are being developed separately, despite Ford’s $500 million investment in the ambitious Michigan start-up.
We know more about the F-150 plug-in hybrid though.
It’s powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine combined with a 35kW electric motor juiced by a 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Driving either rear or (optionally) all four wheels via a 10-speed auto, Ford claims an 1100km range for the ‘Powerboost’ F-150 and a towing capacity up to 5440kg.
The reception in the USA for the new F-150 has been a little muted as it seems more like a major update than an all-new generation as the blue oval claims.
It still rolls on a steel ladder frame with an aluminium body bolted over the top and comes with the same line-up of orthodox petrol and diesel engines as before and – of course – a bewildering array of model choices.
