Chevrolet Silverado/
GMC Hummer electrics,
Fall 2021
Price $60,000–$100,000*
(before applicable tax credits)
Powertrain Layout 2–4 inboard motors;
400–800 hp*/500–1,000 lb-ft* comb;
1- or 2-speed auto gearboxes*;
60–200-kW-hr* battery pack
Configuration 4-door/4–6-pass/
4.0-6.5-ft* bed
L x W x H; Wheelbase 213.0–241.0 x
75.0–81.0 x 72.0-78.0 in*; 136.0–148.0 in*
Performance 0–60: 3.5–6.5 sec,
250–400-mile EPA range*
Towing/Payload Capacity
7,500–12,000/1,500–2,500 lb*
Unique Selling Propositions Overt off-road
orientation of Hummer truck* *estimatedT
he electric F-150 will not be Ford’s first
e-pickup. Some 1,500 limited-range
electric Rangers were built between
1998 and 2002. But we expect the fully elec-
tric F-150 appearing in 2021 will draw a lot
more inspiration from Rivian (in which Ford
has invested $500 million) and the Tesla
Cybertruck than it does from that Ranger.
No official details have been released on
the e-F-150 yet, but patents have come to
light that might provide clues as to Ford’s
intentions—including a new method of
mounting and carrying batteries. Instead
of a single rigid structural battery case
bolting to the frame rails, Ford proposes
welding in channels that serve as trays
where battery modules can be installed.
Pundits have lauded this approach
for adding strength to the frame and
building in battery modularity (longer
frames simply get more battery modules).
But we see it as greatly complicating the
thermal management of (and electricity
flow within) the battery system, creating a
need for additional coolant connections
and high-voltage connecting cableslinking the disparate modules. Another
patent covers a frunk design involving a
grille that opens, interior lighting, and a
drawer that pulls out. The battery patent
protects for a single electric motor at
either or both ends of the chassis and an
individual motor powering each wheel, à
la Rivian. It’s also no stretch whatsoever
to imagine a Raptor-esque variant lever-
aging the Rivian four-motor layout in the
coming years.
A word about Rivian: Ford’s electric F-150
will be built in Dearborn, not at Rivian’s
Illinois plant. That’s another vehicle.
We expect Ford’s electric pickup to be
sized and styled like an F-150 and to strive
for best-in-segment payload and towing
stats, because that’s the Ford way. Despite
what YouTube suggests, its SAE J2807 tow
rating will come in well below 1.25 million
pounds. A safe bet might be to take what-
ever Tesla is claiming and add 50 pounds.
Pickup truck buyers are fiercely loyal, and
this truck is sure to keep the Ford faithful
from straying if/when they find themselves
concerned about the environment.Price $60,000* (before applicable tax credits)
Powertrain Layout 1–4 inboard motors; 255–459 hp*/306–612 lb-ft* comb;
1- or 2-speed auto gearbox(es); 75–150-kW-hr* battery pack
Configuration 4-door/5-6-pass/5.5–6.5-ft bed*
L x W x H; Wheelbase 232.0–244.0 x 80.0 x 75.0 in*; 145.0–156.0 in*
Performance 0–60: 4.5–6.5 sec*, 450-mile EPA range*
Towing/Payload Capacity 7,550–14,050/2,500 lb*
Unique Selling Propositions Patented batteries-in-crossmembers frame construction*
*estimatedFord F-Series electric 2021
PUNDITS HAVE LAUDED FORD’S APPROACH FOR
ADDING STRENGTH, BUT WE SEE COMPLICATIONS.
64 MOTORTREND.COM APRIL 2020ROUNDUP I Electric Pickups