Ford is gearing up to launch its next-generation electric vehicle architecture, the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, with a clear goal: to produce an electric truck that consumers can actually afford. The first vehicle to emerge from this new platform, slated for a 2027 release, will be a mid-size electric truck with a target starting price of around $30,000.
Addressing Past Challenges
The move comes as Ford seeks to recalibrate its electric vehicle strategy. The company faced challenges with its initial F-150 Lightning, which was reportedly canceled due to high costs, underperforming towing capabilities, and persistent unprofitability. While the Mustang Mach-E crossover has seen significant sales, it hasn’t been enough to offset broader EV market pressures, especially with rising competition from Chinese manufacturers, a concern repeatedly voiced by Ford’s CEO.
UEV Platform: A New Direction
The UEV platform is designed to incorporate lessons learned from these experiences. Ford executives recently shared more details about the upcoming truck and its underlying architecture, emphasizing a strategy focused on cost reduction and enhanced efficiency. The new platform aims to deliver the modern EV features shoppers expect, including a front trunk (frunk), ample passenger space, competitive range and performance, and advanced software capabilities.
Design and Aerodynamics Focus
A core principle guiding the UEV truck’s development is a strong emphasis on aerodynamics. Ford engineers prioritized reducing the vehicle’s coefficient of drag and frontal area to boost range, acknowledging that batteries remain a significant cost component. This focus on aerodynamics required constant design iteration and the development of new components to achieve even marginal improvements that collectively lead to substantial gains.
Ford has implemented a system of internal “bounties” to track the battery cost implications of every design decision, encouraging engineers to internalize the need for cost savings. The resulting design is expected to be significantly more aerodynamic than current offerings, potentially leading to a sleeker, less traditional truck profile.
Innovations in Efficiency and Integration
Drawing inspiration from leaders in the EV space, Ford is adopting a philosophy of simplification and multi-functional components. An example cited is the truck’s power mirrors, which use a single motor for both power folding and adjustment, contributing to a smaller mirror design and an estimated 1.5-mile increase in range. The company claims the UEV truck will be approximately 15% more aerodynamically efficient than the Ford Maverick, which is considered a benchmark in this regard.
Software-Defined Architecture for Cost Savings
A crucial element of the UEV platform is its true software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture. This approach, led by individuals with experience from companies like Tesla, aims to centralize computing systems and streamline software control. By reducing the number of traditional electronic control units (ECUs) and complex wiring harnesses, Ford aims to significantly lower manufacturing costs. This shift moves complexity from hardware to software, allowing for greater flexibility in developing and deploying advanced features.
“The most important thing they get [from a software-defined vehicle] is low cost,” stated Alan Clarke, Ford’s executive director of advanced vehicle development. “That’s what they’re going to see. There’s less vehicle content that they don’t care about, so that we can put more money into the vehicle content that they do care about.”
Ford asserts that owning the software stack provides enhanced upgradeability and control, enabling the vehicle to improve over time through over-the-air updates.
Enhanced Over-the-Air Updates
Ford is committed to delivering meaningful over-the-air (OTA) updates on the UEV platform. Unlike previous implementations where updates could be slow and limited, the UEV’s common software platform, designed to support up to eight vehicles, will facilitate broad, fleet-wide updates. Charles Poon, Ford’s vice president for vehicle hardware, highlighted the elimination of “people putty” – the reliance on manual communication between multiple suppliers for updates – as a key enabler of this improved OTA capability.
Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) Batteries
The UEV platform will utilize Lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, which is dominant in the Chinese EV market. LFP batteries are known for being cheaper, more stable, longer-lasting, and requiring fewer precious materials compared to Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) or Nickel Cobalt Manganese Aluminum (NCMA) batteries. Ford claims its LFP cells will be the most affordable in America.
400-Volt System Prioritizes Cost
While many automakers are adopting 800-volt architectures for faster charging, Ford is sticking with a 400-volt system for the UEV platform. This decision was driven by cost considerations, as Poon explained, “If you were to go to 800 volts, the cost would be, like, 20% higher.” The 400-volt system is seen as the best approach to achieve affordability without compromising essential features.
Upgraded Electronics and Advanced Driver Assistance
The UEV platform will feature Ford’s first 48-volt system, replacing the traditional 12-volt system for low-voltage electronics. This upgrade is expected to reduce wiring costs, improve efficiency, and provide more power to critical components, including the advanced driver assistance systems. Ford indicated that future UEV models could offer eyes-off autonomous driving capabilities.
Structural Battery Pack Integration
Ford is also introducing a structural battery pack design for the UEV platform. In this setup, interior components and seats bolt directly onto the battery pack, which serves as the vehicle’s floor. This integration eliminates the traditional separation between the floor and the battery pack, contributing to a lower roofline, improved aerodynamics, and enhanced range without requiring a larger battery.
A Holistic Approach to EV Design
The overarching theme for the UEV platform is a departure from traditional, siloed vehicle development. Ford emphasizes a systematic approach where all elements of the electric vehicle system are optimized to minimize energy consumption and reduce battery costs. The success of this initiative will ultimately be measured by its ability to deliver an electric truck that combines efficiency, advanced software, and an accessible price point.