- Ford’s secretive EV team is testing a new $30,000 electric pickup ahead of launch.
- Midsize truck will debut a cost-focused EV platform designed for multiple models.
- Ford says the new architecture must compete with both EVs and gas-powered vehicles.
Ford announced its “Model T Moment” a year ago. With it came the promise of an affordable electric pickup and other models on the same platform. According to a new report, we’re about to see prototypes on the road in Dearborn prior to its release next year.
According to Ford CFO Sherry House, prototypes of the automaker’s upcoming electric midsize pickup are already being built and tested as the company pushes toward a planned 2027 launch. While Ford later clarified that the camouflaged trucks aren’t yet driving on Michigan roads, spokesman Dave Tovar confirmed to The Detroit Free Press that they’ll be out in public within the next few weeks.
That means Detroit-area motorists could soon catch a glimpse of the vehicle Ford hopes will reshape its electric future.
Read: Ford Working On Affordable EVs, Setup A “Skunkworks Team” For New Platform
The truck is significant for more than simply being a brand-new platform and model. It’s the first product of Ford’s “skunkworks” team at the brand’s Electric Vehicle Development Center in Long Beach, California. More importantly, it will be the debut model for Ford’s new Universal Electric Vehicle platform.
Ford CEO Jim Farley first revealed the architecture in 2025, promising a family of affordable EVs built around a radically different cost structure. The first vehicle is expected to be a four-door midsize pickup starting at roughly $30,000.
House told investors the project remains on schedule. “We’re on plan for our 2027 launch,” she said, noting that Ford is already validating suppliers, testing prototype vehicles, and evaluating new manufacturing technologies, including megacasting.
Also: Ford Gives A Tiny Glimpse Of The $30K EV Truck Slate Should Be Worried About
The process, popularized by Tesla, can significantly reduce manufacturing complexity and costs. Ford believes those savings will be key to making the new truck profitable at a relatively low price point. “It’s going to be very feature-rich. It’s going to be very tech-forward,” House said. “It’s going to be affordable.”
Ford’s EV business has struggled to generate profits, making the success of this new architecture especially important. If House’s comments are any indication, Ford is betting that this vehicle and platform will turn the tide. We’ll get our first real look at that strategy once those heavily disguised prototypes start appearing on public roads.
