Ford is pushing ahead with plans for an ell-electric version of its F-150 pickup truck.
The company says it is commited to buidling the all-electric version along with a hybrid that is expected to be offered for sale next year.
To underline the point it hooked up the prototype electric pickup to 10 double-decker rail cars and 42 x F-150s, weighing more than 1 million pounds — more than 450 tonnes.
Global Director, Electrification, Ted Cannis, said the electric version of the F-150 will be a new and exciting kind of Built Ford Tough.
“We’re aiming to blow away truck customers with new capabilities that they never saw coming,” he said.
Cannis said Ford recently we set out to flex the muscles of our new, all-electric F-150 prototype.
“After all, truckers will do what truckers will do. And everyone wanted to see what could really be done when we pushed this all-electric truck’s capability,” he said.
“There is no greater tension for Ford engineers than doing live tests in front of real truck owners, while cameras are rolling.
“But that’s exactly what we did. As you can imagine, math on paper is never quite the same as real work on the job. Which is why every F-Series is serious about testing . . . and in this case, seeing what happens with live testing.
“What we’re doing here is not just about air quality or rising sea level. We are all about building better trucks for our customers who have real work to do every day. Trucks that can do more for our owners. Trucks that meet new sets of needs. Because leaders lead.
Cannis said the company was dead serious about delivering an electric pickup truck that again sets an all-new bar for what light duty trucks can deliver.
“Not in the science project sense, but in the reality of what tough trucks need to do.
“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.
“We’ve already announced plans to bring an F-150 hybrid to market that can act as a mobile generator.
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