Ford announces affordable EV rollout

Ford outlines a global line of affordable electric vehicles built on a universal platform, starting with a 30 thousand dollar pickup due in 2027.

Ford bets on affordable EVs with universal platform

Ford says it will launch a new range of affordable electric vehicles based on a Universal EV Platform, a three-year skunkworks effort. The first model will be a mid-size double-cab pickup due in 2027, priced at $30,000. Ford says the platform will support a hatchback, crossover, van and a three-bench SUV, with production at its Louisville, Kentucky plant for global export.

The company notes the new EVs will be offered globally, and the lineup is expected to include a Ranchero-branded pickup according to US media. The batteries will be prismatic lithium-iron-phosphate cells produced at Blue Oval Battery Park in Michigan, which Ford says will help keep costs down and provide energy storage capable of powering a home for several days. The plan aims to widen Ford's EV reach beyond the current Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning lineup.

Ford's push hinges on cost discipline. A 30k price target will put pressure on margins and supplier agreements, and it tests whether high-volume production can compensate for thinner profits. The move signals a broader shift toward affordable EVs and a race to scale quickly.

Politically and economically, the plan intersects with trade deals and public support for domestic manufacturing. How lawmakers frame subsidies, tariffs and job creation will influence the program's pace and reception. Execution, supply chains and consumer confidence will decide if this becomes a real turning point or a hopeful preview.

Highlights

Whether the market embraces this price shift will depend on execution and the practical realities of charging on a global scale.