Angel Sergeev is a seasoned automotive journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the automotive industry. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, he began his writing career in 2010 while pursuing a degree in Transportation Engineering.
His early work included contributions to the local edition of F1 Racing magazine (now GP Racing magazine) and roles at various automotive websites and magazines.
In 2013, Angel joined Motor1.com (formerly WorldCarFans), where he dedicated over a decade to delivering daily news and feature articles. His expertise spans a wide range of topics, including electric vehicles, classic cars, and industry topics. Angel’s commitment to automotive journalism is further demonstrated by his membership in the Bulgarian Car of the Year jury since 2013.
Ford says its next electric truck won’t play by pickup rules. CEO Jim Farley teased a new, midsize EV with a bed and a frunk – but he called it “really not a pickup.” He says it’s a new shape, rear-wheel drive, quick like a Mustang EcoBoost, and roomier inside than a Toyota RAV4. Oh, and Ford targets about $30,000 to start. That combo should set off every enthusiast’s radar.
Farley dropped the line on The Verge’s Decoder podcast. “Our first body style will be a pickup, but it’s really not a pickup,” he said, adding that it’s RWD, “very fast,” and “super fun to drive,” with a digital experience Ford hasn’t seen elsewhere. Ford plans to build it in Louisville starting in 2027 on the company’s new “Universal EV” platform.
Rear-drive dynamics in a compact footprint with a low mass target sounds good to us. Reports say Ford will use lithium-iron-phosphate packs – and small ones at that – because weight and cost kill range and fun. RWD should make it lively, expect an AWD variant to follow if buyers want it but there’s no confirmation yet. Ford also hints at a 0–60 sprint in the Mustang EcoBoost neighborhood, which means below 5 seconds.
What about size? Don’t think F-150. Insiders peg the footprint near Maverick, yet the cabin supposedly beats a RAV4 for passenger space before counting the frunk or bed, according to Farley. That’s the EV packaging advantage: flat floor, short overhangs, long wheelbase, and storage everywhere. Farley’s pitch aims at daily-driver usefulness with lockable gear space and no need for racks or hitches. If you surf, bike, or camp, this is the flexible hauler Ford wants you in.
Ford also talks price like it means it. The $30K target matters more than any single spec. That number undercuts most EVs and a chunk of gas trucks. Farley calls this push a potential “ Model T moment” for affordable EVs. Ambitious? Sure. But the new platform leans hard on fewer parts, structural battery packaging, and big manufacturing changes to pull cost and weight out. If it works, enthusiasts get a lighter, cheaper, sharper tool.
There’s a twist to the “not a pickup” line. Farley already admits today’s big electric trucks aren’t great at heavy towing because batteries balloon and efficiency tanks. So Ford appears to zag: chase speed, space, aero, and range in a smaller, sleeker trucklet instead of brute-force tow ratings. That’s honest product-market fit for how most people use a truck 95% of the time.
Name? Ford hasn’t said. Trademark watchers spotted “Ranchero,” sparking rumors of a modern, four-door spin on the classic car-based ute. Don’t bank on it, but the timing lines up with Ford’s affordable EV reveal and Louisville build plan. Either way, the badge won’t matter if the drive and packaging deliver.
Source: The Verge‘s Decoder podcast
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Sounds like a truck to me. Really Ford , another pickup truck? How about an affordable, fuel efficient sedan? Oh right, you did offer a few of those at one time. No problem, I’ll just continue to enjoy my reliable, comfortable fuel efficient Fusion SEL. Wonderful car, still going strong at 220,000 plus kms.
