Ford is working on its ‘Universal EV platform’ that will underpin the next generation of electric vehicles, starting with a $30,000 pick-up truck in 2027. Now, the Blue Oval has shared more details about the upcoming model, which could become the electric alternative to the popular Maverick.
Ford wants to create a new ‘Model T moment’ for the automotive industry’s electric revolution. And, by all means, it needs it, after its worst quarter since 2008, losing $11.1 billion in Q4 2025 alone.
The Universal EV platform promises to be a flexible, software-defined architecture that saves on production costs and boasts high efficiency. With the first model coming next year, Ford has revealed more details about its entry-level electric pickup truck.
Whole new approach
The as-yet-unnamed $30,000 electric truck takes cues from the Ford F-150 Lightning, which saw a surge in orders from early adopters, only to fizzle out and exit production a few months ago. It was as capable as a traditional F-150, but was much more expensive and offered a limited range.
The same won’t be true for this new model, which is being positioned as the electric counterpart to the Maverick, Ford’s entry-level pickup truck, which is more lifestyle-focused and is selling very well.
The $30,000 price tag doesn’t mean that Ford is cutting corners: rather, it’s building the vehicle using a whole new approach. Engineers were given “bounty targets”, incentivizing them to think outside of the box to meet certain goals in terms of efficiency and cost savings.
400V LFP battery
The cost-cutting starts with the battery: a 400V LFP pack built in the USA. Using LFP chemistry means less dependence on expensive minerals and longer-lasting cells, even with frequent fast charging. Ford explicitly chose not to pursue an 800V pack, citing a 20% cost increase for mostly charging-speed benefits.
15% smoother than the Maverick
To ensure adequate range, Ford is smoothing out the traditional pick-up truck shape. The battery is a structural part of the floor, allowing the roofline to be lowered. Thanks to a teardrop shape, a smooth floor, and smaller mirrors, Ford achieved a 15% drag reduction compared to the Maverick.
48V circuit for on-board electronics
Next come the on-board electronics and parts. The Universal EV platform is already based on a software-defined architecture with a central compute unit, saving on wiring and ECUs. But Ford also took inspiration from Tesla, reducing the number of parts needed in the vehicle by 20%.
The onboard electronics also run on a 48V circuit, a first for Ford, rather than the traditional 12V systems used in most legacy cars. That again saves on wiring and provides more power for power-hungry systems, like for future autonomous driving.
Launching in 2027
All of these parts should add up to a $30,000 electric vehicle that is not only affordable but also desirable, with new functions that can be added over its lifetime through over-the-air updates. We’ll know more about the truck by this time next year.
