Ford unveils lighter EVs with 51 kWh battery

Ford pursues lighter, more affordable EVs with a 51 kWh battery while showcasing radical carbon fiber design in a high performance Mustang variant.

Ford Bets on Lighter EVs with 51 kWh Battery and Carbon Mustang

Ford is signaling a new direction for its electric lineup with a 51 kilowatt hour battery for upcoming models. The battery is roughly half the size of the pack in the F-150 Lightning, yet Ford says the new cars can achieve a 250 to 300 mile range per charge. If this balance holds, lighter weight could mean lower costs and easier manufacturing, appealing to buyers who want value in a still pricey market. Ford stock rose fractionally after the news on Friday.

At the same time, Ford is keeping its eye on performance. The Mustang GTD Liquid Carbon adopts bonded carbon fiber for a prominent, paintless exterior and comes with a Performance pack that includes a rear wing, dive planes and a larger splitter. The company frames this as proof that Ford can deliver exciting, premium options even as it expands a portfolio that remains anchored in traditional combustion engines. Wall Street shows a mixed view, with a Hold consensus and a target around 10.74 dollars, suggesting some upside but also notable risk amid broader market volatility.

The move highlights a key tension in today’s auto market: customers want range and affordability, but automakers chase lighter designs and new materials to hit tougher cost targets. A 51 kWh pack could work if overall efficiency improves and weight comes down, yet questions linger about real world durability, charging speed, and winter performance. If Ford can keep the promised range while trimming price, the strategy could help the brand maintain relevance as affordable EV options proliferate.

The Mustang GTD Liquid Carbon represents Ford's bid to fuse performance lore with modern engineering. Carbon fiber cuts weight but adds cost, so the challenge is to scale while keeping the price attractive. If buyers respond to the blend of speed and sustainability, Ford could sharpen its competitive edge; otherwise investors may push back as rivals push broader, faster EV rollouts.

Highlights

Markets will decide how far Ford can bend the math on lighter, cheaper EVs.