Ford Motor is developing a $30,000 electric pickup truck built on a newly engineered universal electric vehicle platform, aiming to significantly reduce production costs while improving energy efficiency. The midsize truck is expected to launch in 2027 and would be priced at roughly half the cost of the Ford F-150 Lightning.
The new platform comes as Ford responds to intensifying competition from Chinese automakers and slower-than-expected growth in the global EV market. Industry-wide losses linked to electric vehicle investments have weighed on major manufacturers, including Tesla, which has also adjusted pricing and product strategies amid softer demand.
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Ford said the upcoming pickup has been engineered from the outset for maximum efficiency, allowing it to deliver longer driving range with a smaller battery pack. The vehicle’s aerodynamic performance is expected to exceed that of other pickups currently sold in the United States. Its structure relies on two large aluminum castings, replacing dozens of smaller components used in conventional designs, similar to production techniques adopted by Tesla.
The company is also introducing a 48-volt low-voltage electrical architecture for the first time, reducing wiring complexity and the number of electronic components required. In addition, the pickup will use a structural lithium iron phosphate battery pack integrated into the chassis, a move designed to cut material use and manufacturing time. At Ford’s Louisville, Kentucky plant, the changes are expected to halve production time and reduce labor requirements by hundreds of workers.
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Ford intends for the platform to support additional models beyond the pickup, including a future ride-share vehicle and potential autonomous driving capabilities targeted for 2028. The new strategy marks a shift toward affordability and efficiency as the automaker seeks to reposition its electric vehicle business for long-term competitiveness.