Powerboost 2027?

[Jimi]

Could a motor run with cylinder deactivation idling in generator mode?
I could see that being a selling point for fuel savings.

I'm really surprised Ford hasn't matched up the 2.7 to a hybrid yet, but I expect that to be coming in future. Better fuel economy and good fit for the Ranger with Powerboost branding.

I do hope that Ford succeeds and continues the hybrid idea. Toyota was correct 20+ years ago that it is the future of vehicles far more than going full electric.

I can definitely see myself going with a hybrid F-150 in 2033 at my next planned truck upgrade. I was heavily considering it this time around but for my personal usage I wouldn't see enough benefit from the hybrid or generator mode. Needs change and I might have a need for it in future.

I totally understand

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[Jimi]

...And you know, there's another use of these trucks: Consider a dead electric car in the middle of Wyoming... a Powerboost can be rigged easily to give them a charge and get them into town and a charger... I said much the same to our WyDOT Director not so long ago...

Yeah that's a good point

 

[BUDXR7]

I would bet on it. The problem with electrification is that the technology is advancing rapidly. Ford came out with the PB that has a small battery and “weak-ish” motor. Now Ram is coming out with their version with stronger motor and battery. I suspect the ’27 PB will have a much bigger battery and stronger motor.

IMHO

I’ve said it before, and I admit to not knowing all the design characteristics, but there is no free lunch. The only true benefit of the hybrid system is capturing wasted energy thru regenerative braking. That said, your battery would only need to be big enough to store the wasted energy from one complete stop, which will all be discharged on the next movement. Factor in an upper/lower buffer and there you have your battery requirement. I’m not sure I understand the strategy (from my observation) of constantly charging (sapping drive energy) and discharging ( supplementing drive energy) but I assume it has something to do with battery management and keeping the battery strong. As I understand it, the ram is an EV with an onboard generator. I assume it plugs in. It makes no sense to me.

 

[Jimi]

I would bet on it. The problem with electrification is that the technology is advancing rapidly. Ford came out with the PB that has a small battery and “weak-ish” motor. Now Ram is coming out with their version with stronger motor and battery. I suspect the ’27 PB will have a much bigger battery and stronger motor.

IMHO

That would be a good improvement

 

[Jimi]

I have a 2006 Escape Hybrid bought new. I consider the engineering elegant. It's got 450,000 miles on it and the OEM battery. A key element in battery life is the purity of the cell components, anode, cathode, & electrolyte. I remarked to my dealer shortly after purchase that the Powerboost really ought to have a traction battery twice the capacity of the one installed. But! Keep in mind that the weight and balance of the truck is a key part of the design process. While this battery will only go about 0.8 miles in level electric mode, if you run the truck as a generator its engine on time is small unless you can find a way to run it at a full up 7.2kW continuous.

450,000 miles? ?

 

[Jimi]

I’ve said it before, and I admit to not knowing all the design characteristics, but there is no free lunch. The only true benefit of the hybrid system is capturing wasted energy thru regenerative braking. That said, your battery would only need to be big enough to store the wasted energy from one complete stop, which will all be discharged on the next movement. Factor in an upper/lower buffer and there you have your battery requirement. I’m not sure I understand the strategy (from my observation) of constantly charging (sapping drive energy) and discharging ( supplementing drive energy) but I assume it has something to do with battery management and keeping the battery strong. As I understand it, the ram is an EV with an onboard generator. I assume it plugs in. It makes no sense to me.

Me neither

 

[BUDXR7]

I totally understand

Seems like everybody is looking at this as some kind of technological limitation on battery capacity or something. All hybrid is doing is making an ICE vehicle more efficient by capturing wasted energy. The current limitations are not the battery. It’s the thermal efficiency of the engine and the efficiency of the electric motor (which is already probably 90%+). That said, diesel hybrid seems the next step up in efficiency. At that point I think you’ve maxed out the efficiency of ICE vehicles (no accounting for improvements in aerodynamics, vehicles mass, rolling resistance, etc…).

 

[Mosey]

I’ve said it before, and I admit to not knowing all the design characteristics, but there is no free lunch. The only true benefit of the hybrid system is capturing wasted energy thru regenerative braking. That said, your battery would only need to be big enough to store the wasted energy from one complete stop, which will all be discharged on the next movement. Factor in an upper/lower buffer and there you have your battery requirement. I’m not sure I understand the strategy (from my observation) of constantly charging (sapping drive energy) and discharging ( supplementing drive energy) but I assume it has something to do with battery management and keeping the battery strong. As I understand it, the ram is an EV with an onboard generator. I assume it plugs in. It makes no sense to me.

You make good points.

 

[BUDXR7]

It’s not like we’re ever going to get Prius mileage out of an f150. It’s like comparing a matchbox to a tonka.

 

[spiritrider1]

I have 42,383 miles on my Job 1 2021 PB XLT 4x4 Sport 302A. Best truck I've owned to date. That includes a 1988 Toyota single cab, a 95 then 98 T-100 extra cabs. I ended up keeping the 1998 T-100 23 years and 207K miles but finally sold it two summers ago. I put a TRD supercharger on it to give it more grunt but it was never a good handling or efficient truck, 17mpg on avg. My kids all drove learning to drive but it was poor handling and dangerous in weather. I kept it as a 'back-up' but it just didn't make sense anymore.
Will my PB last as long? Who knows, but if I treat it like I did my Toyota's, I bet it does. Good Maintenance, clean oil, and smooth driving go a LONG way to making vehicles last.
I may go back to a Toyota if they figure out the Tundra hybrid should have an on-board generator vs. the Sienna minivan! But I bet the same pitfalls exist with the Toyota due to the complexity of technology. Keep in mind, Ford has been doing hybrid for quite a while too.

 

[MJG44]

Drop the C/D of the 5.0 and give me a battery.

That I would be all over.

 

[Kurt V]

I have a 2023 Powerboost and can't say enough about it. Love it so far with just over 15,000 miles. My only issue is the battery drain when sitting in the garage for a few days. I always put mine on a smart charger when I'm not going to drive it for a while.

 

[Jimi]

I have 42,383 miles on my Job 1 2021 PB XLT 4x4 Sport 302A. Best truck I've owned to date. That includes a 1988 Toyota single cab, a 95 then 98 T-100 extra cabs. I ended up keeping the 1998 T-100 23 years and 207K miles but finally sold it two summers ago. I put a TRD supercharger on it to give it more grunt but it was never a good handling or efficient truck, 17mpg on avg. My kids all drove learning to drive but it was poor handling and dangerous in weather. I kept it as a 'back-up' but it just didn't make sense anymore.
Will my PB last as long? Who knows, but if I treat it like I did my Toyota's, I bet it does. Good Maintenance, clean oil, and smooth driving go a LONG way to making vehicles last.
I may go back to a Toyota if they figure out the Tundra hybrid should have an on-board generator vs. the Sienna minivan! But I bet the same pitfalls exist with the Toyota due to the complexity of technology. Keep in mind, Ford has been doing hybrid for quite a while too.

That's great

 

[Gros Ventre]

450,000 miles? ?

yes, I keep my vehicles for the long haul. And have done much of the work myself over the years.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Keep in mind that the charging rate on a battery is exponential. As it approaches full charge the charging rate may only be an amp or less.

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