We already know a hybrid F-150 is coming in 2020. But what about an all-electric Ford pickup? When probed about the possibility, the American automaker didn’t exactly say no.
Speaking with Business Insider regarding the upcoming hybrid truck, and the absence of an all-electric option a la the company’s upcoming crossovers, Ford CTO Raj Nair cited how the battery’s heft adversely affects the truck’s ability to haul heavy objects:
“In a CUV, you aren’t too worried about payload or towing, but it’s very different for a truck. And when you put that number of cells and that much weight into the vehicle, it does cut into payload and towing.” According to Nair, a hybrid F-150 actually makes the truck better than before. “We want electrification to be a bonus. One thing that is really advantageous on the hybrid is it also becomes its own power generating source.”
Nair adds, however, that a purely electric F-150 isn’t completely out of the question. As of right now, a hybrid makes more sense, but, he says, “I would never rule out anything like that.”
BI made sure to mention Tesla’s intention to introduce a self-driving, presumably all-electric pickup (along with a semi) within the next couple of years. If that takes off, perhaps we’ll see a change of tune from the Blue Oval.