Ford Does not Plan to Make an EV F-150 Raptor Any Time Quickly

The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is an off-road beast that scoffs at most obstacles and path situations because of its supercharged V8 engine. That very same engine is making many ponder whether Ford will exchange the Raptor lineup’s inner combustion engines (ICEs) with electrical motors within the short-to-mid time period. However in keeping with Ford, which was cited by Motor Authority, the straightforward reply isn’t any.

The pinnacle of Ford Efficiency, Carl Widmann, says that neither partially- nor fully-electric drivetrains are forthcoming for any automobiles within the Raptor lineup. The F-150 Lightning would be the dominant EV truck from the blue oval for now.

The FP boss went on to say that ICE powertrains are a greater match for off-road machines as a result of they keep away from the load penalty endemic to EVs: massive batteries. Widmann used the GMC Hummer EV for instance, Motor Authority experiences:

The silver-haired efficiency fanatic, who’s answerable for ridiculous machines together with the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, and the third-generation Ford F-150 Raptor, stated his group has pushed the GMC Hummer EV. “They’re good for a shot, however not one thing you’d run at Baja.” Widmann laughed whereas noting the Hummer weighs in at greater than 9,000 lb.

Widmann stated electrical automobiles (particularly referring to off-road-capable vans) aren’t as nimble as a V-8-powered car on account of all the additional weight of the batteries.

Ford’s head of efficiency isn’t unsuitable to chastise the Hummer EV for its outrageously heavy battery, which appears impractical for a sport the place agility is as vital as energy. Furthermore, the Hummer EV’s battery appears irresponsible from an environmental perspective, which is ironic.

It’s laborious to say the mantle of eco-friendliness when that many assets are siphoned to a single battery pack that may energy one machine alone, which is important to succeed in “passable” vary. It’s simply such a weird mixture to demand from one machine: monstrous off-road functionality and lengthy EV vary.

Perhaps if the Hummer EV was lighter or smaller it wouldn’t want such an enormous battery. The added mass of that battery pack makes Ford reluctant to impress the Raptor. And, to be honest, Widmann additionally shot down any rumors of a much bigger (heavier) 7.3-liter V8 engine for later Raptors.

However I maintain coming again to the F-150 Lightning as a result of the F-150 Raptor R and Lightning, presumably, don’t have vastly completely different curb weights; they’re each in all probability sitting at round 6,000 kilos.

Practically all the things else is completely different, after all: the Lightning has a distinct powertrain, completely different suspension, and completely different purchaser altogether. However what if it didn’t? What if Ford may commerce some vary for a greater suspension? What if Ford may make an EV worthy of the Raptor badge? It simply looks as if a fully-electric Raptor is true there. So shut but so distant.