Ford, which didn't find what it hoped for with the F-150 Lightning, announced last summer that it was working on a new electric pickup with an estimated starting price of around $30,000. More technical details have been shared about the model, which is planned to go on sale in 2027. The new Ford electric pickup stands out with its efficiency-focused design philosophy and cost-reduction strategies.
First Representative of the New Electric Platform
The new pickup will be the first model to use the brand's newly developed platform called Universal Electric Vehicle. According to Ford, this platform will offer high acceleration performance while providing a more spacious interior for passengers than a Toyota RAV4. During the development process, the teams focused on "efficiency targets." This approach is based on the idea that every improvement made should reduce battery costs and increase range.
In this context, the production process was also redesigned, opting for a simpler structure with fewer parts and fasteners. For example, while the Ford Maverick model has a total of 146 structural parts in the front and rear, this number has been reduced to just two in the new electric pickup. The company aims to significantly reduce costs by using an aluminum "unicasting" production technique for the first time.
Longer Range with Small Details
Aerodynamic structure is critically important for range in electric vehicles. For this reason, Ford focused on achieving efficiency gains even in the smallest details. For example, it was calculated that a mere 1-millimeter increase in the vehicle's roof height would raise battery costs by $1.30 and reduce the range by approximately 0.09 kilometers. Therefore, the roof design was developed to direct airflow in a teardrop shape towards the bed.
Airflow from the front wheels is directed to the rear wheels, reducing turbulence at high speeds. This resulted in an additional range gain of approximately 7 kilometers. The motor unit is positioned as low as possible, and a specially designed motor housing also reduces air resistance. This placement also contributes to efficiency by reducing friction in the drivetrain.
In terms of exterior design, the size of the side mirrors was reduced by 20 percent. By combining the mirror adjustment and folding mechanism into a single system, a more compact structure was achieved, resulting in an additional range gain of approximately 2.4 kilometers.
As a result of all these improvements, Ford states that the new electric pickup's aerodynamic efficiency is more than 15 percent better than other pickup models currently on sale.
Next-Generation Battery and Electrical Architecture
Ford had previously announced that the model would use a 400V lithium iron phosphate battery with prismatic cells. This battery pack will also serve as a structural component and floor platform of the vehicle. Although range figures have not yet been disclosed, the company states that it has developed its charging ecosystem in-house and uses advanced technologies.
Additionally, the vehicle will use a new electronic system called "zonal architecture." This structure reduces the number of control units and significantly shortens the wiring harness. The cable length of the new electric pickup is approximately 1,200 meters shorter than the brand's first electric SUV model.
Ford is Ambitious in Affordable Electric Vehicles
Ford's new electric platform aims to produce more competitive electric vehicles by reducing wiring, part count, and production costs. While the announced starting price of $30,000 seems ambitious, the steps the company is taking to reduce costs demonstrate the seriousness of this goal.
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