Three years after launching the all-electric F-150 Lightning, Ford CEO Jim Farley has acknowledged the limitations of electric trucks, particularly when it comes to towing and long-distance hauling.
Speaking at a financial conference, Farley admitted that while electric vehicles (EVs) have their advantages, they are not the ideal solution for heavy-duty applications. “If you tow, it’s not a good technology. The batteries have to be too big,” he stated, according to a report by Motor1.
A Reality Check for EV Trucks
Ford had previously showcased an electric F-150 prototype towing 453 tonnes worth of train carriages and F-150s in a highly publicized event in 2019. However, the vehicle only covered 300 meters, illustrating the stark difference between short-term demonstrations and real-world performance.
Motor Trend later tested the F-150 Lightning under real towing conditions and found a significant drop in range. When towing a 1400kg trailer, the truck’s electric range decreased by 62%. With a larger 3275kg trailer, its advertised 482km range was slashed to just 145km—an alarming 70% reduction.
The Economics of Large Electric Vehicles
Farley also addressed the financial and technical hurdles that make fully electric trucks a tough sell for consumers. “For larger retail electric vehicles, the economics are unresolvable. These customers have very demanding use cases. They tow, they go off-road, they take long road trips,” he explained.
He highlighted three major issues:
- The poor aerodynamics of large trucks,
- Their heavy weight,
- The high cost of large battery packs.
Ford has found that consumers are unwilling to pay a premium for all-electric trucks when hybrid or gasoline-powered alternatives offer better range and capability at a lower price.
Pivoting to Hybrid and Extended-Range Solutions
In response to these challenges, Ford has decided to shift focus away from fully electric large vehicles and instead invest in hybrid and extended-range electric pickups. The company had been working on a large three-row electric SUV, but that project has now been scrapped. Another rumored electric heavy-duty F-Series truck has also disappeared from development.
Ford is now prioritizing more flexible powertrain solutions. “We will be developing body-on-frame and unibody platforms that can support multiple energy powertrains, balancing customer affordability with range needs,” Farley said.
The Future of Ford’s Electric and Hybrid Trucks
While some automakers, particularly in China, are pushing ahead with fully electric utes, Ford appears to be taking a more cautious approach. The upcoming Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) is set to begin deliveries soon, offering over 45 kilometers of electric range before switching to a 2.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine for extended driving distances.
Farley emphasized that Ford’s early investment in hybrids was a smart move, and the company now plans to lean into hybrid and extended-range EV solutions rather than pursuing full electrification at all costs.
“We’ve learned when it wasn’t popular to invest in hybrids, it turned out to be the right move. So, we want to lean into extended-range EVs and other powertrains that align with customer demand,” he concluded.
Ford’s strategic pivot signals a broader industry shift, as automakers balance sustainability goals with real-world usability and consumer affordability.
