AUTO

Ford’s $30,000 Affordable Electric Truck Could Outsell Gas Pickups by 2027

August 13, 2025

Ford’s $30,000 affordable electric truck is coming in 2027, with more passenger room than a Toyota RAV4 and Mustang EcoBoost speed.
The Ford Universal EV Platform cuts 20% of parts and trims the wiring harness by over a mile, making production faster and lighter.
A $5 billion investment will update the Louisville Assembly Plant and build batteries in Michigan, creating or securing nearly 4,000 U.S. jobs.

Ever get that eyebrow-raising moment when someone claims they can build a truck cheaper and faster than anything you’ve seen? That was exactly my reaction when I heard about Ford’s latest project.

And did they just say a $30,000 affordable electric pickup that makes a Toyota RAV4 feel cramped? And one that can hit 0-60 in the same range as a Mustang EcoBoost? Honestly, who would have guessed?

A small, dedicated team in California mixed first-principles engineering with 122 years of Detroit know-how. The result was the Ford Universal EV Platform paired with a completely overhauled factory system.

Ford President and CEO Jim Farley speaks at Louisville Assembly Plant on August 11, 2025, unveiling plans for an affordable electric truck built in America.

Doug Field, chief EV, digital and design officer at Ford, speaks at Louisville Assembly Plant on August 11, 2025, about an affordable electric truck.

President and CEO, Jim Farley, explained, “We took a radical approach to a very hard challenge: Create affordable vehicles that delight customers in every way that matters – design, innovation, flexibility, space, driving pleasure, and cost of ownership – and do it with American workers”.

That quote lands with weight. It feels humble, yet confident, and has just the right touch of ambition.

The platform’s stats hit hard with 20% fewer parts, 25% fewer fasteners, 40% fewer workstations from dock to dock and assembly running 15% faster. That comes from smart engineering backed by guts.

Even the wiring harness gets an overhaul, trimmed by over a mile in length and shedding 10 kilograms in the process. And as a result, Ford’s Universal EV Platform is lighter, cleaner and more efficient.

Then comes a clever twist where the battery in this affordable electric truck doubles as the floor. It uses a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) pack that is cobalt-free, nickel-free, and structural, designed to keep the cabin quiet while lowering the center of gravity.

Safer, more cost-effective, and the reason this truck can offer generous passenger space along with both a frunk and a locking truck bed for gear storage (surfboards included).

Doug Field, Ford’s Chief EV, Digital, and Design Officer, has a deep appreciation for first-principles engineering. “We assembled a really brilliant collection of minds across Ford and unleashed them to find new solutions to old problems,” he said. It feels like a sci-fi crossover taking place right in Detroit.

Bryce Currie speaks at Louisville Assembly Plant launch of Ford Universal EV Platform and Production System for upcoming midsize electric pickup.

Louisville Assembly Plant employees and others listen as Ford shares its plans to design and assemble breakthrough electric vehicles in America on August 11, 2025.

Manufacturing has shifted from a single, continuous conveyor to what Ford calls an “assembly tree.” The process now runs in three separate lines: one for the front, one for the rear, and one for the structural battery section in the middle.

These sections come together at the end of the line. This approach benefits workers with less bending, twisting, and reaching, which also speeds up production. According to Ford, assembly could be up to 40$ faster, with a net 15% improvement when automation and in-house production are factored in.

This effort is backed by a substantial investment. Ford plans to commit roughly $5 billion in total, with around $2 billion going into updateing the Louisville Assembly Plant. That upgrade will secure 2,200 jobs, add 52,000 square feet of space, and bring in advanced digital infrastructure.

Another $3 billion will fund battery production at BlueOval Battery Park Michigan. Combined, the two projects are expected to create or secure nearly 4,000 direct jobs while strengthening the domestic supply chain.

Governor Andy Beshear called it one of the “largest investments on record in our state.”

You might be wondering if this could turn into another EV misstep. Analysts have flagged Ford’s Model e division for steep losses, with a $1.3 billion hit in Q2 and estimates of roughly $22,000 lost on each vehicle sold.

The Ford Universal EV Platform enables a family of affordable vehicles to be produced at scale for customers – electric, fun to drive and digitally advanced with over-the-air updates that will keep improving the vehicle.

The timing adds another layer of intrigue. Federal incentives are winding down, and Chinese automakers are flooding the market with budget-friendly EVs.

In response, Ford has leaned into American engineering and manufacturing pride to create something distinctive. The result is an affordable electric truck built as a midsize pickup, engineered for driving excitement with instant torque, a low center of gravity, and strong downforce. It offers roomy RAV4-level comfort, a target price near $30,000, and an American build planned for 2027.