Extended Range EREV - Is Ford About to Embrace?

[wessermgm]

Ram recently announced that it was placing the BEV Ram REV truck into suspended animation until 2026 and straight out cancelled the version with the high capacity battery. Insiders within Stellantis have been reported as saying this is because they are all in on the EREV Ramcharger and there is some thought that they might delay the REV indefinitely. This seems to be due to a market based trend that supports EREV generally. The Scout reboot was originally to be launced as a BEV only. VW/Scout pivoted and added the Harvester option, which is a ICE range extender (similar to the Ramcharger). The take rate for the EREV is 86.5% of the reservations over only 13.5% for the full electric version. This has lead ppl over at the Scout Boards to speculate that they might drop the BEV version all together. EREVs appear to meet the market's desires in a way that the BEV does not.

Meanwhile, at the Blue Oval, Lightning and Mach-E sales have stagnated or have only been stimulated by deep discounts. It appears Farley has gotten the message. According to this article, Farley recently toured China's auto industry and saw how the Chinese marketplace has gone wild for EREVs. Now it seems that Ford is ready to move away from all-electric to EREVs - including an EREV Super Duty.

https://www.theautopian.com/ford-is-going-hardcore-into-erevs-and-its-going-to-rule/

Now, I think that a Powerboost Super Duty based off of the 7.3L is more practical. I can't imagine the size of the battery pack needed for an F250 - even with a range extender. But I am glad that Ford is paying attention to market considerations as opposed to just building BEVs for the hell of it (which appears to be GM's intention). I would argue that Ford could get an EREV out very quickly to market using the Lightning as the base and the 1.5L Dragon as the range extender. Unlike Ram, Ford does not have to build an EV half ton from scratch. They have most of the work done, you just have to integrate the ICE component (not as easy as I type it I know, but gotta be better than starting from 0).

You guys thoughts on Ford EREVs?

Sponsored

 

[HammaMan]

I mean, they could have read my posts for nearly 2 years now for free and not burn billions only for the CEO to eventually road trip one of the EVs to learn the truth.
?‍

If they do make a 250 PHEV, they don't need but a beefed up 5.0. The electrified architecture will more than take up the slack. Hell they could beef up the 3.0 diesel and go the generator/EV route. Even better if they can get it approved with reduced emissions components.

Granted when they adopt some of china's batt tech and tesla fully deploys their v4 architecture, most of the EV issues go away with range. Granted, while making road trips a worry free thing, it's still a time constraint for anyone who can go 4-5hrs between stops, or is towing.

 

[Probity]

I hope Ford does an EREV in the nominal 1/2 ton (and smaller - Ranger/Maverick?) truck models. The year 2027 looks to be a crowded space for supposed EREV truck introduction - Ram as you note, the new Scout, Hyundai (reportedly a new small truck, not an EREV Santa Cruz). Price will as usual be a problem, Scout (VW) is "targeting" a mid-$50K start price.

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[HammaMan]

On the smaller platforms, the direct drive clutchable ICE/Generator makes a lot of sense.

I just hope when they go for the F150 they give it a proper GVWR given the 145 WB doesn't compete against the 250s ~157" and they package it well enough to retain some type of frunk avoiding as many COTS parts as possible. Being able to dodge the whole "we need our partners participation to fix software issues" nonsense isn't acceptable. In-house all of the drivetrain and inverters. Bypass their internal inefficiencies and hire tesla for the HV system design including thermal management -- AND avoid the barebones minimalist interior of the teslas with lack of IPC unless the HUD is really impressive.

 

[Snakebitten]

$50K for a chassis stuffed with ICE, Elec motors, HVB, and nice enough to live with?

Me too.

Believe it when I see it.
Still feeling betrayed by the $39,999 Ford F150 Lightning that I'm still waiting for.

 

[HammaMan]

Still feeling betrayed by the $39,999 Ford F150 Lightning that I'm still waiting for.

I mean, imagine the cybertruck guys. That $40k truck was $100k for the first 8 months or so? Only recently has it become $80k

 

[Larrymoe]

I mean, imagine the cybertruck guys. That $40k truck was $100k for the first 8 months or so? Only recently has it become $80k

Those are what we call idiots.

 

[HammaMan]

Those are what we call idiots.

Well their 2 million preorders vanished with that stunt. You can go pick one up new right now. Going from 2mil pre orders to 40k sold before no waitlist is pretty telling. They're about to start producing the RWD units for around $60k which aren't that impressive. Single motor with half the power and an even smaller batt. They don't really have many more features to delete.

 

[Larrymoe]

Well their 2 million preorders vanished with that stunt. You can go pick one up new right now. Going from 2mil pre orders to 40k sold before no waitlist is pretty telling. They're about to start producing the RWD units for around $60k which aren't that impressive. Single motor with half the power and an even smaller batt. They don't really have many more features to delete.

I'll pass. I wouldn't want a Cybertruck if they were free.

Anyone that lines up to buy anything brand new so they can be #First is an idiot. The price always goes down, and they usually work the kinks out by then.

 

[Snakebitten]

Man, there's a lot of 2021 F150 idiots?

Those folks in line for the first ever Lightning Pro for $39.9k ended up with a really solid vehicle. The only real problem was Ford only built a handful and forced everyone that was waiting for the Bargain, was forced to step up to a much more expensive Lightning.

Like I said, it felt like betrayal to me after reserving and waiting for so long.

 

[dochawk]

(and smaller - Ranger/Maverick?) truck models.

The plugin ranger is already being sold--just not in the US!

 

[wessermgm]

I hope Ford does an EREV in the nominal 1/2 ton (and smaller - Ranger/Maverick?) truck models. The year 2027 looks to be a crowded space for supposed EREV truck introduction - Ram as you note, the new Scout, Hyundai (reportedly a new small truck, not an EREV Santa Cruz). Price will as usual be a problem, Scout (VW) is "targeting" a mid-$50K start price.

I'll believe it when I see it.

I don't think anybody thinks that Scout will be less than $65k after all is said and done. No way in hell they pull that off for less than an Expedition.

 

[Larrymoe]

Man, there's a lot of 2021 F150 idiots?

Those folks in line for the first ever Lightning Pro for $39.9k ended up with a really solid vehicle. The only real problem was Ford only built a handful and forced everyone that was waiting for the Bargain, was forced to step up to a much more expensive Lightning.

Like I said, it felt like betrayal to me after reserving and waiting for so long.

What did you order?

 

[Snakebitten]

What did you order?

I didn't convert my reservation to an order because Ford wouldn't build a Pro Standard Range for me.

Ironically I can purchase the truck they wouldn't build me 3 years ago for a bit le$$ than 40K today used. And several with less than 10,000 miles. But having my beloved built to spec 2022 KingRanch Powerboost, along with a Mach-E GTPE, I'm no longer looking. But I do believe it's still a heck of a lot of truck for less than 40K.

 

[HammaMan]

So next year ford's plant to produce CATL's LFP comes online, promising

Only took them 4 years to figure this out

Sponsored