Ford Knows Electric Vehicles Can't Tow
Ford doesn't think battery-electric powertrains in its full-size trucks and SUVs make sense moving forward.
CEO Jim Farley acknowledged that EVs are not well-suited for heavy towing, long-distance travel, or off-roading. Speaking during Ford’s 2024 financial conference call, Farley said, “If you tow, it’s not a good technology. The batteries have to be too big.”
While the F-150 Lightning has seen reasonable sales since its launch, interest in the battery-electric half-ton is beginning to wane as the limitations of battery weight, aerodynamics, and cost remain significant hurdles for large EVs.
"For larger retail electric [vehicles], the economics are unresolvable. These customers have very demanding use cases for an electric vehicle," Farley said during the call.
"They tow, they go off road, they take long road trips. These vehicles have worse aerodynamics and they're very heavy, which means very large and expensive batteries. Retail customers have shown that they will not pay any premium for these large EVs, making them a really tough business case given the expense in the batteries."
Instead, Ford is shifting toward extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), which pair a combustion engine with a battery pack to extend range without requiring massive battery capacity.
Farley emphasized that Ford’s future product strategy will be built around flexibility, stating, “Ford will be developing flexible, body-on-frame and unibody platforms that will be designed for these multi-energy powertrains that are needed, given the realities of customer affordability and range requirements.”
The company has already seen success with hybrids, despite initial skepticism about their long-term viability, and now plans to lean further into EREVs as part of its evolving electrification approach.
"Profitability for these larger family haulers that take long trips will be more frequently occurred through partial electric options. Yes, PHEV, but especially hybrid and EREVs, that on one tank of gas can get over 700 miles of range but still drive most miles all electric."
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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This was a known premise and briefed in several upper management board meetings years ago. Then it was quashed. The Ford Ranger Hybrid must be sold in the USA this year. Make things right.
Fords EVs can't tow. GM's Silverado (and corporate cousin) EVs can tow as was evidenced by the Out of Spec Youtube channel loading four EVs (Silverado 4WT, F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and pre-production CyberTruck) with identical loads of over 6,000 lbs. The Silverado towed from Denver to Grand Junction on a single charge, running at the speed limit to speed limit + 5 MPH the entire way. It then recharged and towed all the way back on a single charge. The F-150 required three charging stops and the other two needed two charging stops.
So the claim that EVs can't tow has already been disproven.