Ford confirmed an F-150 Hybrid was coming, and now we know for certain we’ll see an electrified pickup truck from the Blue Oval in 2020. The automaker confirmed the F-150 Hybrid and said the River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan, would be responsible for production, Ford Authority reported.
The Dearborn Truck Plant already handles production of the current F-150 lineup at the 600-acre facility, which makes the announcement not much of a surprise. It’s unclear if the hybrid model will require more workers at the facility, which already employs 7,500 workers. It’s unclear what type of hybrid system Ford has planned, but it everything suggests it will be a full hybrid system and not a mild-hybrid unit, such as the Ram 1500 eTorque or Silverado e-Assist, which entered low-scale production for California only.
Thus far, Chevrolet has been quiet on the electrification front for its pickups. The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra will introduce a 2.7-liter L3B turbocharged four-cylinder engine as its mass-market offering, but the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter mills remain as well. When the Silverado made its debut, the brand suggested the truck is rather future-proof and can fit a wide variety of powertrains, however, including an electrified powertrain.
Chevrolet first dabbled with a Silverado Hybrid in 2004, believe it or not. The truck featured a 42-volt battery system to restart the engine as the brake pedal was released, while three additional 12-volt batteries provided extra power in the rear. Since then, GM has swung more in favor of the internal-combustion engine for its pickups. The new trucks will also gain a new 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel engine to match Ford and Ram better.
While we haven’t heard much an a Silverado or Sierra hybrid, GM CEO Mary Barra did share the fact the automaker has given a “tiny bit” of thought to building a fully electric pickup truck. Such a vehicle is likely years away, should it ever receive the OK.
Comments
No way can Ford beat Chevrolet to this. Chevrolet brought us the Volt. Hands down the leader in battery & hybrid technology. Chevrolet needs to lead on this one, not follow.
No because there was a hybrid Silverado way back in the GMT800 days….
Chevy- been there done that. They will return to it when it makes sense. They keep the bolt around in case california mandates eletric cars only like Europe is by 2040. My guess is it won’t happen soon enough as Mazda will have a gas engine that is more enviro friendly than electric by 2025 and everyone will undoubtedly follow suit.
“My guess is it won’t happen soon enough as Mazda will have a gas engine that is more enviro friendly than electric by 2025”
6 years from now? You’re hanging the future of personal transportation powertrains on developments that are yet to come? That kind of thinking is known as “engineering by press release”, and it’s terribly short-sighted.
Skyactive X engines exist already. They are being tested and are slatted to be introduced next year on the Mazda 3. The engines are compression ignition and have already had a media test drive with incredible results. They are 30% more efficient than today’s engines. Skyactive next gen slated for. 2025 are Skyactive x with the edition of the technology pressent in chevys new 2.7 turbo. All this techology exist. It just takes a little time to start up manufacturing and testing for any bugs. Skyactive next gen will be 50% more efficient than today’s engines. Imagine a gas silverado making 38mpg without any eletrification in 10 years. Hopefully GM doesn’t ignore compression ignition.
Furthermore, that can be achieved without 15k in batteries that are subject to their weight and space
Jake is correct.
Mazda is on the right path.
In my view, reciprocating IC engines + electric motors + batteries = too expensive and too complicated.
GM has been there done that.
https://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/25/gms-hcci-engines-now-run-from-idle-to-60-mph/
No need to produce high wear engines that don’t like the cold by the 100K’s
GM has been playing around with electrification for a long time. The technology developed for the Two Mode Hybrid truck mentioned in the article was used in the Chevy Volt. The problem with the Two Mode was the battery, it used a tiny 300 volt NiCad battery housed under the rear seat. This battery was too small to exploit the full capability of the Two More system. As a result, the fuel economy and all electric performance was only marginal. Today battery technology has come a long way since the Two More was introduced. Lithium Ion batteries provide much more power density, sustained power delivery and cost than those early batteries. For example Workhorse gives you the option of a second 60KWH battery or a three cylinder turbo range extender at no difference in cost.
Unfortunately for GM their 200,000 allowance for the full tax credit has just about been used up. It will likely dwindle away to nothing by the end of 2020. So Ford and Ram and maybe even Toyota will be able to sell Plug-In pickups with a $7500 cost advantage. So even though GM has more experience, their competitors now have the chance to gain dominance in the electrified truck segment.
Why is this important? Torque and Economy. If you’ve ever driven an electric vehicle you know what I mean. Instant torque makes diesel power feel anemic. Most importantly businesses will find the much lower life cycle costs make a strong case to go with a Plug-in powertrain.
Hybrids only help with regenerative braking. Prius get great fuel economy on the highway cause they are shaped like a turtle. Hybrid trucks are hard cause while electric motors have lots of torque at 200 rpm for takeoff using physics laws means that torque is cut in half at 400 rpm, quarter at 800 rpm, 16th at 1600rpm and 32nd at 3200rpm or operating power speed. Great instant torque doesn’t equal continuous torque and thus power. Power is what moves things and electric cars lurch forward just to slouch. Dodges etourque puts out 120ftlbs yet only 12hp. The real advantage is it lets the 5.7 rest in 4 cylinder mode longer. Something dynamic skip fire is capable of adjusting to.
Via Motors has been electrifying Chevy 4 x 4 Crew Cabs for a number of years now, available 420 or 840 hp. Bob Lutz saw the potential years ago. GM may have options ??
Why would Ford go hybrid or electric? For what market? Maybe they want to have bragging rights. But for any manufacture that builds 700,000 trucks a years, I’m sure GM looked at the numbers for the truck and probably didn’t make sense. Cost of the build for batteries, electronics, testing and an expensive inventory there probably wasn’t any money to be made. As many use PU truck for pleasure only, I’m sure the vast majority use it as a truck and to gain a mile or two MPG is not a worth it. Still cost to charge the batteries with plug in or the gas engine. Power IN = Power OUT minus mechanical loses.
This isn’t just going to be a basic hybrid. Its also going to function as a mobile power source which will be very attractive for work and pleasure in remote locations (tailgating, camping etc)
“GM has swung more in favor of the internal-combustion engine for its pickups” ?