Over the past year or two, Ford’s powertrain strategy has shifted considerably, moving a bit away from EVs and more toward hybrids, with plans to add an electrified option to every model in the Ford Blue lineup by 2030. At the same time, Ford CEO Jim Farley has made it quite clear that he doesn’t believe larger vehicles are ripe for pure electrification at the moment given current technology, revealing that the automaker plans to explore other options in the interim – including extended-range electric vehicles (EREV), which use gas engines as generators to feed battery packs. Now, Farley is giving us more details pertaining to what its future lineup might look like.
“Profitability for these larger family haulers that take long trips will be more frequently occurred through partial electric options,” Farley said during Ford’s Q4 2024 earnings call with investors. “Yes, PHEV, but especially hybrid and EREVs that on one tank of gas can get over 700 miles of range but still drive most miles all electric. Ford will be developing flexible body-on-frame and unibody platforms that will be designed for these multi-energy powertrains that are needed given the realities of customer affordability and range requirements.”
Farley first hinted that Ford was looking into the idea of building EREVs last fall, and as Ford Authority reported earlier this month, the automaker is planning on making EREV versions of several existing models, including the Ford Super Duty, along with a line of unnamed crossovers and SUVs – “its most popular and profitable vehicles” – though none of them are expected to arrive before 2027.
In the meantime, Farley has also made it quite clear that he doesn’t think EV versions of large retail models are viable at the moment – though they certainly are in the commercial fleet space – and that he believes pure EVs are better suited for things like small pickups and and SUVs.
Comments
Just as Americans say they want more and more ICEs. Brilliant again, Jim.
It took about 50 years for cars to gradually lower to the ground for better handling and aerodynamics. I hope that it doesn’t take another 50 for vehicles to get lower to the ground again!
They need V8’s not EcoCrap!
A hybrid can generate more and sooner torque than a V8 because the electric motor moves the wheels. I have out accelated many V8 cars with my Fusion Hybrid. Yet I get over 40 MPG every day! V8s are obsolete!!
Bring back the Fusion Hybrid and Energi!