Linda Zhang, chief engineer of the Ford F-150, shows the capability of a prototype all-electric F-150 by towing 10 double-decker rail cars and 42 2019-model year F-150s, weighing more than 1 million pounds.
Ford Motor Co.
Ford took a major step Tuesday to show that an electric version of its F-150 pickup truck is more than a rumor.
The automaker released a video Tuesday showing a battery-powered F-150 prototype pulling 10 double-decker rail cars more than 1,000 feet, once with the cars empty and another time with the rail cars loaded with 42 gasoline-fueled F-150s, or a payload of 1.25 million pounds. That’s more than 94 times the 13,200-towing capacity of a gas engine F-150s.
Ford didn’t disclose details about how the electric-truck team, led by chief engineer Linda Zhang, pulled off the eye-popping stunt. It did acknowledge that the “one-time short event demonstration” is not a credible depiction of the truck’s actual towing strength. But Ford and its competitors must allay fears among the hard-core truck-buying masses that an F-150 EV will be any less “Ford tough” than its traditional counterpart.
The company is spending $11.5 billion to launch more than a dozen new hybrid and battery-only models by 2022. A gas-electric hybrid F-150 will come to market in 2020. Ford officials say that version will also be able to act as a mobile generator.
In addition, the Dearborn-based automaker plans to introduce a Mustang-inspired hybrid crossover utility model next year.
Full-size pickups represented 14% of total U.S. light-vehicle sales in 2018. They account for a much larger percentage of profits, especially for domestic manufacturers.
So convincing pickup buyers that electric drivetrains are a viable option is essential to generating significant consumer demand for EVs in general.
“This demonstration showcases our commitment to remain the clear leader in trucks as well as to highlight our commitment to the future of electric vehicles,” said Ted Cannis, Ford global director of electrification.
There is one inherent advantage for battery-powered trucks: instant torque. Electric motors generate maximum torque from the moment a driver’s foot hits the accelerator, while even the most muscular V-8 engines need to build up speed to reach their peak torque.
Ford’s F-150 EV effort will benefit eventually from its $500 million investment in start-up Rivian, announced earlier this year.
Earlier this month Volkswagen announced it would partner with Ford and Pittsburgh-based startup Argo AI on development of electric and automated vehicles. Ford is investing $1 billion and Volkswagen, $2.6 billion in Argo AI.
Ford and Volkswagen hold equal stakes in Argo, but neither has a majority position.
