Ford CEO Jim Farley has shared some images of the carmaker’s $30,000 EV pickup truck as part of the Universal Electric Vehicle Project.
Inside the Louisville assembly plant, Ford has been undergoing a massive factory overhaul to compete with Chinese automakers. The goal is to make a fleet of low-cost EVs, which seems to be the winning formula in China right now. The recently revealed Chery Rely R08 is just $18,000 but offers features and performance similar to those of Ford’s nearly six-figure pickups. As America continues to beg for cheap, bare-bones pickups, it looks like Ford is hoping to provide the solution.
Here is how Ford plans to make a $30,000 EV pickup
On X (formerly Twitter), Ford CEO Jim Farley shared a glimpse at some behind-the-scenes images of the revamped Louisville assembly plant as it works on the new EV pickup. He wrote: “American innovation is how we compete and win against China and the rest of the world.”
At the forefront of this innovation: the $30,000 mid-size electric pickup. According to Farley, there have now been hundreds of prototypes over the past few years as engineers continue designing this cost-effective EV. One team will work on the front, another on the rear, and a third team on the battery underbody, before coming together to finish the process. This system is said to use 25% fewer fasteners and significantly reduces other required materials, according to Bloomberg.
The final image shows a close-up of the factory’s unicasting system, one of the other ways that Ford will cut costs. With fewer vehicle parts and fewer production costs, the company can make the vehicles cheaper. This is an innovation taken from Tesla, which used “gigacastings” for its Model Y to reduce welds and rivets.
What do we know about Ford’s $30,000 EV pickup?
Ford taking inspiration from Tesla’s manufacturing shows just how “behind the times” American carmakers truly are. How? Well, Tesla is already behind China’s competitor, BYD, now the world’s best-selling EV brand. Chinese EVs are spreading to Europe and maybe even Canada, which will undoubtedly continue to shape the car market. Ford is hoping its new $3,000 EV pickup truck can keep up with China’s cheap electric vehicles.
Unfortunately, not much is known about Ford’s cheap EV pickup. It’s said to be about the same size as the Ford Maverick, a gas pickup, but with a zippier performance. According to Ford, it will reach 60 miles per hour in 5.6 seconds.
The battery comes from BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan, a 400-volt electrical system that charges fast (though not as fast as the 800-volt systems in more expensive EV models). The base model will be a smaller and lighter battery, making this truck ideal for commutes and short weekend trips.
While cost-effective, Ford envisions that this pickup will still have plenty of creature comforts. There is BlueCruise hands-free driving, an entertainment system, device connectivity, and a good amount of storage. On top of the truck bed, you’ll have upfront storage, offering even more cargo space than the Maverick.
The $30,000 EV pickup is said to have a 2027 release date. Meanwhile, car enthusiasts remain skeptical. On Reddit, one Ford owner noted: “The Maverick launched at $19,999 and now is $28,145 a couple of years later. The Lightning was promoted as under $40,000 and the base MSRP is $49,875. Ford’s low prices are more of an idea than a reality.” Even Ford enthusiasts who are interested in the pickup remain uncertain if the $30,000 will truly stick.
