Since the electric F-150 is still some time away, the focus has been on the plug-in hybrid version of the truck lately. What made this news even interesting was that the hybrid version would be based on the 3.5-liter, V-6 EcoBoost engine. Basically, a lot of hopes were pinned on this hybrid mill considering it would serve as a bridge between the internal combustion engine range to a pure electric truck and would give us an idea of what to expect.
Well, as it turns out, Ford just pulled one over on us. According to Car And Driver, the PHEV F-150 will run only 10 miles on electric electric before switching back to gas. So much for all the buzz surrounding the mill.
How Much Are You Willing To Spend To Get 10 Miles Of Range?
This is what the outlet mentioned: Ford also will offer the first plug-in hybrid in the half-ton-truck market, with an electric motor sandwiched between a turbo V-6 and a 10-speed auto. Electric range will probably exceed 10 miles but only when commuting unladen. Do F-150 buyers really want a truck with a plug?
Did Ford just do it for namesake? The hybrid engine was an important stopgap until the electric F-150 comes out. A lot of people are still skeptical about switching to electric trucks and the hybrid would’ve given them some idea about how an electric F-150 would fare in the long run.
Not to mention, the rivals are closing in on the gap with the F-Series in terms of sales. In the first quarter of 2020, Ford sold less F-150s than the Silverado and Sierra combined.
It Could’ve Been A Segment-First
Currently, none of the F-150s rivals have a strong hybrid system. Ram introduced a mild hybrid system on the 1500, called eTorque, that adds more torque and cranks the engine in a start/stop event. GM gave the hybrid a shot long time back in the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra that didn’t run on electric mode alone, but helped increase the fuel efficiency.
So, this was a perfect opportunity for Ford to fill the void. And, what does Ford do? Offer a laughable 10 miles of range on its hybrid F-150. Imagine trailering or carrying a lot of cargo - you'd be lucky if you made it down the driveway before running out of juice.
Final Thoughts
We hope this news turns out to be false. The outlet did not cite a source or evidence backing this up, so that’s one reason to be optimistic about it. The electric F-150 might be developed on technology from Rivian, the company in which Ford has invested $500 million, even though Ford says it will collaborate with former on another different product.
We were hoping that the electric truck would come with a strong range and even stronger towing figures, but seeing how the hybrid will turn out, we are now worried if Ford will over-promise and under-deliver. What are your thoughts on this 10-mile range on the electric mode? Share them with us in the comments section below.