Ford introduces latest EV architecture, novel battery tech, and guarantees budget-friendly electric pickup truck
Ford Motor Company has unveiled its new electric vehicle (EV) platform, the Universal EV Platform. This platform aims to produce affordable EVs at scale by simplifying and optimizing vehicle design and manufacturing processes.
Key aspects of the platform include a reduction in parts and assembly complexity, innovative battery design, and manufacturing and software innovations.
Reduction in Parts and Assembly Complexity
The Universal EV Platform reduces parts count by 20%, uses 25% fewer fasteners, and requires 40% fewer workstations dock-to-dock in the plant. This results in a 15% faster assembly time, lowering manufacturing costs and increasing efficiency.
Innovative Battery Design
The platform uses a cobalt- and nickel-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic battery pack that serves as a structural part of the vehicle’s floor. This design lowers the center of gravity for improved handling, creates more interior space, and reduces weight and cost. It also enhances durability and allows for space savings in the vehicle.
Vehicle Design Benefits
The platform allows a smaller exterior footprint with increased interior space. The upcoming mid-size electric pickup truck, for example, will have more passenger room than a Toyota RAV4 despite being about the size of the gas-powered Ford Maverick. It will also feature practical storage including a front trunk ("frunk") and truck bed.
Manufacturing and Software Innovations
Ford is investing heavily in new manufacturing techniques to reduce complexity and cost and plans to pack these vehicles with innovative features, over-the-air software updates, and a fun driving experience.
Affordability Target
The new mid-size electric truck using this platform is projected to start around $30,000, making EVs far more accessible to average consumers. Ford promises the total cost of ownership over five years will be lower than a three-year-old used Tesla Model Y.
The New Truck's Design
The new truck's design was inspired by the Model T. Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO, said that the new platform aims to create affordable vehicles that delight customers in every way that matters.
Manufacturing and Production System
The new platform will be built on the Ford Universal EV Production System, which transforms the assembly line into an assembly tree. Ford has committed to investing nearly $US2 billion into its Louisville Assembly Plant to assemble the midsize electric truck, with an expansion of 52,000-square-feet on the cards. Ford believes that the integration between its new Ford Universal EV Production System and Platform could mean that assembly of the midsize electric truck could be up to 40% faster than Louisville Assembly Plant's current vehicles.
Battery Production in the US
Ford plans to become the first automaker to make prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in the US. This will enable further space and weight savings while also delivering further cost reduction and durability for customers.
Journalist's Note
Joshua S. Hill, a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years, has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012.
The new platform will enable the production of a range of affordable vehicles, starting with a midsize electric pickup truck (ute) with a targeted price of around $US30,000. Ford is investing around $US5 billion in this new platform and related manufacturing systems. This investment aims to help Ford meet the challenges coming from China's electric carmakers.
- Ford Motor Company's Universal EV Platform focuses on reducing parts and assembly complexity, using a cobalt- and nickel-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic battery pack as a structural part of the vehicle’s floor.
- The implementation of this platform allows for a smaller exterior footprint with increased interior space, resulting in vehicles like the upcoming mid-size electric pickup truck having more passenger room than a Toyota RAV4 despite a similar size to the gas-powered Ford Maverick.
- Ford is planning to produce prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in the US as part of the platform, which will deliver further cost reduction and durability for customers.
- As part of its investment in this new platform and related manufacturing systems, Ford aims to meet the challenges posed by China's electric carmakers and produce a range of affordable vehicles, with a mid-size electric pickup truck (ute) starting at around $US30,000.
