News: T3 full-size electric EV pickup being delayed until 2028

[MAhauler]

https://www.autonews.com/ford/an-ford-ev-truck-van-delays-0807/

Ford delays electric pickup, van to 2028 in shift to more affordable EVs

Looks like Ford’s moving the schedule again on a couple of their upcoming EVs, including the new full-size "T3" EV pickup. They’ve decided to focus more on smaller, cheaper electric models, so the big stuff is getting bumped back.

From what’s been floating around, the full-size electric pickup they were going to build at the BlueOval City plant in Tennessee is now planned for 2028 instead of 2027. Same story for the next-gen E-Transit van that was supposed to start rolling out of Avon Lake, Ohio, in 2026 — that’s also been pushed to 2028.

Ford actually confirmed the changes on Aug. 7 and said they told employees and suppliers about it back in June.

The pushbacks seem to be tied to Ford switching gears toward a cheaper EV setup that’ll be the base for a few smaller models. First in line will be a compact pickup in 2027. Supposedly, we’ll hear more about the plan on Aug. 11 when Ford does an event at their Louisville plant in Kentucky.

“The pure EV market in the U.S. seems to us very clear: small vehicles used for commuting and around town, so to speak,” CEO Jim Farley said on Ford’s second-quarter earnings call. “And commercial … we think that’s going to be a robust business, but we want to shrink the number of top hats. We’re going to have just a few. And we’ve made the adjustments in timing, we think, and to be in segments where we can actually make money on EVs.”

Sponsored

 

[jetfixr1]

I saw this coming. Hopefully this means Ford will continue to invest in the Lightning. I would upgrade for 800V architecture and a NACS port if it came to the market.

 

[gbuydos]

Have to agree with their direction. Small trucks and cars for EVs. Leave the big trucks and towing to gas and diesel.

 

[Quantum]

Love to see an Expedition size 700-mile range SUV. GM will be 1st w/Suburban-EV 2028.

 

[The Weatherman]

Really!! I may never see this new offering.

 

[lightspeed]

I saw this coming. Hopefully this means Ford will continue to invest in the Lightning. I would upgrade for 800V architecture and a NACS port if it came to the market.

There is literally nothing wrong with the Lightning platform that requires billions of R&D into a totally different truck. All they need to do is use Gen2+ batteries with higher energy densities, put 200kWh+ with 350kW+ charging in, and it would be gold. (Also upgrade the infotainment computer)

 

[Zprime29]

I saw this coming. Hopefully this means Ford will continue to invest in the Lightning. I would upgrade for 800V architecture and a NACS port if it came to the market.

It's my understanding that Tesla SC's don't play nice with 800V architecture. Is there another advantage to wanting that with NACS? Or am I misunderstanding the limitations?

 

[jetfixr1]

It's my understanding that Tesla SC's don't play nice with 800V architecture. Is there another advantage to wanting that with NACS? Or am I misunderstanding the limitations?

Well no, AFAIK the Cybertruck has 4 200V HVBs that can run in either series or parallel for 400V or 800V charging. The swapping is done internally on our equivalent of a BECM. Charging at 800V allows you to get the full KW output of a V4 charger. The Hummer EV is the same way I believe. The advantage to NACS is the compact size of the port since AC and DC charging is accomplished using the same pins. People with mobility issues have a hard time plugging in a CCS connector to DCFC since its so bulky. The NACS cable is MUCH better for said individuals. Also, our charge port location could be better. GM got it right with the Sierra.

 

[Altivec]

Good! Hopefully this gives time and more priority to fixing the current Lightnings software. As it stands, I will no longer be buying a Ford anything until I see some dedication to software and the understanding that the days where your customers is out of mind after they leave the lot are over. People have been asking for simple fixes on this platform for 4 years now. There is no excuse for that.

 

[Zprime29]

Well no, AFAIK the Cybertruck has 4 200V HVBs that can run in either series or parallel for 400V or 800V charging. The swapping is done internally on our equivalent of a BECM. Charging at 800V allows you to get the full KW output of a V4 charger. The Hummer EV is the same way I believe. The advantage to NACS is the compact size of the port since AC and DC charging is accomplished using the same pins. People with mobility issues have a hard time plugging in a CCS connector to DCFC since its so bulky. The NACS cable is MUCH better for said individuals. Also, our charge port location could be better. GM got it right with the Sierra.

What about V3's which are far more likely where we stop? I thought I'd read that 800V like Lucid, Porsche, and the eGMP platform don't perform well on those. Is it just the platforms that have split personalities? (jump between parallel and series)

 

[MountainAlive]

I’ll concur with others that perhaps this is good news - that maybe the Lightning we all have now live on for another 3 years. Providing more time to focus on software updates and adding to the overall pool of available used parts for Lightnings.

 

[jetfixr1]

What about V3's which are far more likely where we stop? I thought I'd read that 800V like Lucid, Porsche, and the eGMP platform don't perform well on those. Is it just the platforms that have split personalities? (jump between parallel and series)

Ill be honest, I dont know much about other manufacturers other than Ford and Tesla. Im not aware of any issues they might be facing.

 

[Zprime29]

Ill be honest, I dont know much about other manufacturers other than Ford and Tesla. Im not aware of any issues they might be facing.

My uneducated guess is that the EV's which can parallelize their batteries are able to overcome that limitation. So I'd hope that if Ford goes the 800V route they also follow suit on the battery splitting as well.

 

[CD4TNF]

Farley's directive was to show him the EVs that could be "profitable in 12 months". Interesting their business models are showing small cars, trucks and business vans will meet that criteria.


The Lightning will be 6 years old by that point in 2028. That means the T3 will come out at the same time or just after the Scout Terra truck. Wondering if Ford is waiting for the LMR battery tech to meet their technology and cost goals. Toyota may bring a Tacoma EV truck online at some point. That's the competition I'm aware of. Probably safe move for Ford to aim for a 2028 T3 release date.

 

[CD4TNF]

It's my understanding that Tesla SC's don't play nice with 800V architecture. Is there another advantage to wanting that with NACS? Or am I misunderstanding the limitations?

Superchargers have lower voltages than 800v.

Hyundai/Kia had to use the rear motor windings to bump up the Supercharger voltage in DC charging for the 800v battery to accept charge.

EVBuyersGuide explains it better than I can.

Sponsored