Is this the all Electric Maverick EV??

[Blue_Max]

Our local post office got 2 EV trucks. they use them for Amazon delivery only not for general mail delivery. I asked our postman why he didn't get an EV he said they don't have the power service for more than 2 chargers. That office has over 20 routes and he said they can't increase the service to handle all 20 charging at the same time without the power company running new service.

Charging infrastructure is another issue where government funding would be helpful. Government used to pay for infrastructure for the public good.

Sponsored

 

[djpat]

In many of the news reports I read about this announcement, Ford is calling this a new Model T moment. If you remember the history of the Model T and it's assembly line - you had one basic vehicle in one color-Black (previous to 1914 there were other color options, but from 1914-1925 all they made were black). So to manufacture a $30K vehicle, Ford should limit the options/models to one vehicle that they can make and zip through production-making the same vehicle all day/all month/all model year. Without having to stop to change things they would be able to produce a lot more vehicles and have more control on costs because they know exactly what would go into each and every vehicle. But we all know people like variances, especially when it comes to vehicle color, interior etc. Lighter color vehicles are more efficient when it comes to reducing the heat inside a vehicle, which then make a vehicle not have to work as hard using its AC, so maybe have a limited amount of color choices that would be produced for a specified period of time, but specifically scheduled. Mass production is going to be the only way Ford is going to keep costs down, and if something isn't available on this model that a buyer wants, then it is the perfect moment for an upsell to a different vehicle. Its sort of like going to a restaurant that has 100 things on the menu, but 99% of the time you order the same thing, sometimes it is easier to make a decision when you don't have way too many options to choose from.

 

[Blue_Max]

In many of the news reports I read about this announcement, Ford is calling this a new Model T moment. If you remember the history of the Model T and it's assembly line - you had one basic vehicle in one color-Black (previous to 1914 there were other color options, but from 1914-1925 all they made were black). So to manufacture a $30K vehicle, Ford should limit the options/models to one vehicle that they can make and zip through production-making the same vehicle all day/all month/all model year. Without having to stop to change things they would be able to produce a lot more vehicles and have more control on costs because they know exactly what would go into each and every vehicle. But we all know people like variances, especially when it comes to vehicle color, interior etc. Lighter color vehicles are more efficient when it comes to reducing the heat inside a vehicle, which then make a vehicle not have to work as hard using its AC, so maybe have a limited amount of color choices that would be produced for a specified period of time, but specifically scheduled. Mass production is going to be the only way Ford is going to keep costs down, and if something isn't available on this model that a buyer wants, then it is the perfect moment for an upsell to a different vehicle. Its sort of like going to a restaurant that has 100 things on the menu, but 99% of the time you order the same thing, sometimes it is easier to make a decision when you don't have way too many options to choose from.

I get the impression what Ford wants to emphasize with this new vehicle is the simplified modular assembly. In addition to being revolutionary, it should simplify production, which should reduce production cost. But time will tell.

 

[olderthanyourdirt]

Not sure I recall hearing where Toyota lost 9.5 billion, but I could be wrong. I do know that Ford paid (amount unknown, but probably millions) to license and use Toyota hybrid technology. I assume they were having issues trying to figure out their own and failed. Besides, they still have issues with simply keeping a battery charged in our Mavericks. It's ok to buy the tech from someone if you are too stupid to figure it out on your own. We need to ask why our R&D people here in the U.S. seem to have so many problems keeping up with others in the world.

Ford and Toyota reached a mutual agreement years ago as they were both developing hybrid technology. Both had very similar engineering and decided suing each other did not serve anyone.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

So a roughly 50-55 kwh battery. At 3 mi/kh (similar to M3, not likely) you're looking at best case 150 miles range.

So basically, a Slate, but with 4-doors.

Exactly, plus a history of actually delivering vehicles to consumers.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

It seems that a lot of people think that it's a 100%, black/white decision over EV and ICE, that you can't have both available.
Calm the F down, it's just an additional way to power a vehicle, it's not a cultural heritage.
It would be nice if there were several methods/engines available, from gasoline to electric to diesel to hydrogen to natural gas to gasifier to things I can't even think of.
And once Cold Fusion is figured out and miniaturized enough to fit in and provide enough power to a vehicle, most of the other stuff will just be for vintage enthusiasts. You'd buy a car with a lifetime of propulsion; which I suspect would be similar to "lifetime" lubricants...

That is, if people still individually own vehicles that just stay parked unused 20+ hours a day. I suspect self-driving car subscriptions will be the norm, so we can have a LOT less iron sitting around, and the same convenience.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Great point and a point I have often made:

Most people's cars sit still
23 hours a day.
Fast charging is unnecessary.

Once you realize this, electric cars are the ONLY smart choice. Make them cheap with small batteries. 25 kWh will do.

Keep a liquid fueled vehicle on hand for vacations and longer than 1 hour trips. Or rent a vacation vehicle.

It's a cliché but true.
Electrics work nicely for about 90% of the population.

It's amazing that 99% of the 10% are on these blogs.

I wonder why that is?

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Great point and a point I have often made:

Most people's cars sit still
23 hours a day.
Fast charging is unnecessary.

Once you realize this, electric cars are the ONLY smart choice. Make them cheap with small batteries. 25 kWh will do.

Keep a liquid fueled vehicle on hand for vacations and longer than 1 hour trips. Or rent a vacation vehicle.

It's a cliché but true.
Electrics work nicely for about 90% of the population.

It's amazing that 99% of the 10% are on these blogs.

I wonder why that is?

yes, but;
I take at least one 1000 mile roundtrip drive per month right now, 500 miles in a day. And when we're on a driving vacation, like going to AZ from the CA Bay Area or something, the ability to do these things with current EV and charging capabilities makes it less convenient than gas.

I know my case is exceptional, and that I could manage just fine with a current EV that only goes 250 miles and takes an hour to charge up for another 200+ miles, but once you're accustomed to a certain level of convenience, even if rarely needed, it's hard top take a step back.
EVs aren't too far back from ICE right now, with fast-charging and ranges going over 400 miles in some vehicles. In my Transit(not Connect) I have a range of about 350 miles on 25gal tank. It often takes more than 15 minutes at a gas stop on a long drive because of lines (I select the cheapest gas station, and so do 90% of other people), bathroom break, and snack resupply. Locally, it's about 5-10 minutes to fill up. Depending on the efficiency of the car, EV charging to go 200 miles can take less than 15 minutes at a fast charger, but most are 30+ minutes, and there are often lines.

Your suggestions on having a designated long range vehicle or renting one are great. I've thought about both options if I ever go fully electric. We have an older Fiat 500e that gets about 80 miles per charge on it's tiny battery, and it gets charged at home about once a week, since it's just used locally. However, in my situation, I have PG&E power, and it costs MORE per mile to charge and drive the Fiat than it does to pay $4/gal for gas for the Mav. PG&E is a for-profit corporation with a government sanctioned monopoly in our area, and our local rates exceed .50/kwh this year, with a couple more increases already scheduled. There is nothing we can do about that, except get solar and make our own electricity. That is a cost of maybe $15-20k to put in a solar array and battery backup, even with me doing most of the work (I'm NABCEP certified, but still need licensed electrician to do the final connection). I'm having regrets taking the X5 over to the Kona house, we should have shipped the Fiat instead, since solar is cheap to put in over there, and shockingly, electricity is cheaper there than where we live in CA. Also, not too many long drives available. Sometimes we go over to Hilo and the Volcano, and the Fiat would make it, probably, because of the very long recharging downhill on the saddle road, but need a full charge once we got there. A 200 mile range EV would be perfect in HI.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Lots of free level 2 charging locations.
Especially in your area of California.

And depending on which you choose, a lot of DC fast chargers are .25 per kWH.

Some are as much as 59 cents.
But not generally.
Industrial power is cheaper than residential. And most I have found are not for profit. Most just look to break even. And they probably got an incentive to put the charging station in.

With a tap on a cell phone app, you can get a map of all the free and low cost charging locations.

Of course the larger the population center, the more options you have.

A little EV on Hawaii seems perfect.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Average EV cost of power in California public locations: about 25 cents per kWh.

25 cents = 4 miles in a car, 2.5 miles in an electrical giant

16 miles per dollar cars
48 miles per $3
64 miles per $4

10 miles per dollar trucks / SUV
30 miles per $3
40 miles per $4

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

East Bay FREE CHARGING

ALL CHARGING LOCATIONS

 

[rtphokie]

yes the Lightening has been so successful

Electric trucks aren't the problem. Full size electric trucks that don't have sizable market especially at $55k but more realistically $70k are the problem.

 

[Bdesign]

Ford sells a PHEV Ranger Stormtrak- plugin hybrid with 2.3 Eco boost

 

[colinl]

Ford sells a PHEV Ranger Stormtrak- plugin hybrid with 2.3 Eco boost

you forgot the words 'Australia' and 'new for 2025 model year'.

yes, they do.

 

[JohnCondren1933]

Well, an efficient, hybrid small pickup, an electric mid-sized, and a gas powered full lineup of heavier duty pickups seems to fill out Ford's product line pretty decently.

The Ranger doesn't even sell that well, it wouldn't be a huge loss to just convert it to an EV. I'd bet they can sell just about the same number of EV mid-sized pickups as they do the Ranger nowadays.

I don't have the source offhand but 2025 Maverick sales # so far blow the Ranger sales out of the water, it's the 2nd best selling midsize pickup in the US now...after the friggin Tacoma, no other midsize pickup comes close to those 2 for 2025

Sponsored