It looks like Ford made its own set of resolutions for the New Year; one of them includes building a hybrid version of Canada’s best-selling truck, the F-150.
Ford confirmed yesterday they will be releasing 13 new hybrid vehicles over the next five years, including a hybrid version of the Mustang, a plug-in Transit Custom and yes, a hybrid F-150. SUV fans can also expect a fully electrical option by 2020. The manufacturers predict the new vehicle to get a range of at least 300 miles (480 kilometers) per charge.
That’s not the only news Ford shared with the world yesterday, either. Ford also announced their plan to invest $700 million in a new American factory, where electrical, autonomous and high-tech vehicles will be the focus of operations.
Making Charging an Easier Option
Since 2006, Ford has sold more than 520,000 electrical vehicles across North America. They plan on significantly increasing this number over the next few years, too. With this in mind, Ford wants to make owning an electrical vehicle as appealing an option as possible. This includes creating a more convenient way to charge.
That’s why the automotive giants are currently piloting a new wireless technology in the U.S. and Europe. It’s sole job is to make recharging a hybrid as easy as possible; all you would need to do is pull into a parking spot. Wireless recharging would also mean drivers could charge their vehicles whenever they wanted — even on the shortest commutes.
“As more and more consumers around the world become interested in electrified vehicles, Ford is committed to being a leader in providing consumers with a broad range of electrified vehicles, services and solutions that make people’s lives better,” said Mark Fields, Ford President and CEO.
“Our investments and expanding lineup reflect our view that global offerings of electrified vehicles will exceed gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.”
The Ford Hybrid F-150 Edition
Consumers can expect to see the F-150 Hybrid by 2020 and Ford plans on selling the truck in North America and the Middle East. Not much else has been released in terms of specs. Some predict, however, that it will use an automatic transmission and share a similar powertrain to the hybrid Mustang.
Ford has also made sure to promise enthusiasts that the hybrid version of the popular F-150 will be just as strong as any of its predecessors. And because it will able to double as a generator, it’ll likely be a welcomed addition to any job site.
What do you think of Ford’s news?
Would YOU buy a Hybrid F-150? Let us know below!