Yahoo Autos Ford Switches Up EV Plans, Cancels Three-Row Electric SUV
Ford is canceling previous plans to build a new electric three-row SUV, according to a new statement from the company.
The company outlined a revised electrification strategy that increases focus on hybrid vehicles as it develops cheaper battery sourcing options.
Ford now plans to begin production on a fully electric commercial van in 2026, with two new electric pickup trucks expected for 2027.
Ford announced major revisions to its electrification strategy, including canceling previous plans to build a new electric three-row SUV. The company said it will focus on hybrid vehicles, which Ford believes will offer a more cost-effective solution for customers than electric vehicles. Part of the newly announced strategy is to make battery sourcing more efficient. Because of that, the company said it is decreasing its yearly spending dedicated to fully electric vehicles from around 40 percent to around 30 percent.
Instead of building an electric three-row, Ford said it now plans to use hybrid technology in its next three-row SUVs. The announcement specifically refers to SUVs in the plural, making it unclear how many are planned. The new focus on hybrids doesn't stop with the three-row, as Ford is also planning to introduce hybrid powertrains to its F-series Super Duty pickup lineup for the first time.
EV Van Coming in 2026, Next-Gen Truck Not Until 2027
Production of Ford's new commercial electric van is now scheduled to start in 2026 at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio. The company also once again pushed back the timeline for its next-generation electric truck, which was originally supposed to start production in 2025. The project code-named T3 is now scheduled for the second half of 2027.
According to Ford, the new timeline will allow the brand to make use of lower-cost battery technology and other technology breakthroughs in the intervening years. In addition to the next-gen truck, Ford is planning to introduce a mid-size electric pickup in 2027 designed by the California-based "skunkworks" team. At this point, information regarding the mid-size truck remains scarce.
According to Ford president and CEO Jim Farley, "If you are not competitive on battery cost, you are not competitive." Because of that, the brand is looking to reduce battery sourcing and production costs, including moving some Mustang Mach-E battery production from Poland to Holland, Michigan, in 2025 to qualify for Inflation Reduction Act benefits.
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