Faced with the challenges of electrifying large SUVs and pickups so dear to American customers, the Ford boss confirmed the arrival of models equipped with a range extender. Here too, China has shown the way.
The technology of the thermal range extender for an electric vehicle is not new. We will remember for example the Kangoo Elect'Road sold from 2002 to 2005 or more recently the BMW i3.
China did not invent this technology, but its manufacturers have clearly popularized it. Following the example of LI Auto which built its success on this offer, most "electric" brands are now turning to this solution: Deepal, Avatr, soon Zeekr, Xiaomi or Xpeng...
Jim Farley also directly referred to Chinese models when he confirmed the arrival of the technology at Ford. According to him, Chinese customers consider these models as fully-fledged electric vehicles and they drive 95% in electric mode. But with the ease of the gasoline engine for longer journeys and ranges that reach 1000 km (CLTC cycle).
The Ford boss also acknowledged that the characteristics of large SUVs like the Expedition or large pick-ups were difficult to reconcile with electrification at a reasonable cost: unfavorable aerodynamics, mass, payload requirements and towable mass... Not to mention that the target audience is not necessarily the most welcoming to electric vehicles.
Sales of the F-150 Lightning are clearly not at the level hoped for. However, for Ford, these pickups or large SUVs are simply vital. They generate almost all of the group's profits. Real cash cows, which the American manufacturer must take the electrification step.
With the range extender, Ford therefore intends to offer the driving sensation of an electric vehicle, a reduction in CO2 emissions, a range allowing long distances to be covered, including with a large trailer, all without needing to install a 200 kWh battery. According to Jim Farley, these models could have a price equivalent to that of their thermal counterparts.
Remember that Ram has already opted for this solution for its Ramcharger pickup.
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