Ford ups production of its F-150 Electric by 50 percent in response to high demand
Demand for the 2022 Ford F-150 Electric pick-up has proved so strong the US auto giant is increasing production plans by 50 percent versus its original forecast.
Validation, if it were needed, of buyers’ acceptance of an electrified version of what has been America’s best-selling vehicle since 1981.
The latest (14th) generation F-150 is rolling out in the US now, but the all-electric F-150 won’t be delivered until mid-2022. A plug-in hybrid will also go on sale, while Ford has filed a patent for a removable range extender for the electric version, which should allay range fears.
The all-electric F-150 was only confirmed this September, with production slated for its historic Rouge Plant in Dearborn. Here Ford will add another 200 permanent jobs in addition to a previously announced 300 jobs as part of a $700 million investment in building the all-new F-150 and all-electric F-150.
The move comes as Ford confirmed “strong early interest” for the F-150 Electric, the legacy brand gearing up to tackle new upstarts such as the Tesla Cybertruck, Nikola Badger, Lordstown Endurance and Rivian R1T on the electrified pick-up scene.
Regrettably for Australia, there’s been no talk of an official right-hand-drive version for our market.
Ford’s gone big on electrification investment, announcing it will throw another $100 million into its Kansas City assembly plant (while adding another 150 jobs) to begin producing its recently announced E-Transit electric Transit van (again, no right-hand drive version here) ready for a late 2021 arrival.
This latest cash splash is part of Ford’s “$11.5 billion-plus investment in electrification through 2022.” Its Mustang Mach-E will be on American driveways next month.
“Ford’s strategy is different – we are delivering affordable, capable electric vehicles in the heart of the retail and commercial market rather than six-figure status vehicles,” Ford’s Kumar Galhotra said. “With the stunning Mustang Mach-E SUV, an all-electric F-150 and the new E-Transit, our first wave of EVs in North America will introduce a whole new generation to EVs.”
Details of the dual-motor all-electric F-150 are scant, but Ford has said it will have more power and torque than any other model in the range, as well as accelerating faster. It will also have “the ability to tow heavy trailers.”
The plug-in hybrid version’s figures are known. Its 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine is backed by a 35kW electric motor with 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Ford has claimed an 1100km range for the Powerboost F-150 version, and a towing capacity up to 5440kg.
