Ford’s president of global markets, Jim Farley, announced Wednesday at the Deutsche Bank Global Automotive Conference in Detroit that the best-selling F-Series line-up will be offered in electric and hybrid models.
“We’re going to be electrifying the F-Series — battery electric and hybrid,” Farley told conference attendees at the MGM Grand according to the Detroit Free Press.
Hard Working Trucks later confirmed through Ford that its plans for electrification include adding an all-electric powertrain option for the F-150.
“We are working on an all-electric F-150 as a new way to better serve our truck customers,” said Mike Levine, Ford’s manager of North America vehicle communications.
Levine said that Volkswagen would not be involved in the development of the battery-powered truck. Both companies, which have pledged billions to EV development, announced a partnership this week that will include the production of commercial trucks and vans.
While questions remain concerning payload, towing, range, charging infrastructure, battery volatility, second-life use and battery recycling, there are several advantages in using an all-electric powertrain: vast reduction in maintenance, much more powerful torque, fuel savings, zero emissions, lower center of gravity and increased traction thanks to chassis-mounted battery packs, quieter performance in noise-sensitive areas and, according to at least one EV pickup builder, improved braking.
(A version of this story appeared Wednesday in Hard Working Trucks.)
