US firm to leverage Formula 1 engineering to build $30,000 electric truck

Ford Motor Company is developing a new midsize electric pickup truck priced around $30,000, aiming to capture a broader mainstream market by focusing on affordability, efficiency, and simplified engineering. Central to this effort is the Ford Universal EV Platform (UEV), a clean-sheet architecture designed to reduce production complexity and costs, unlike previous models adapted from gasoline platforms. The UEV will initially underpin the midsize truck and later support other vehicle types, including sedans, SUVs, and commercial vans. A key innovation in Ford’s strategy is leveraging engineering expertise from Formula 1 racing to enhance aerodynamic efficiency, lightweight design, and rapid prototyping, thereby reducing battery size and cost. Ford has also implemented a data-driven “bounty” system to quantify the impact of design decisions on cost, range, weight, and manufacturing complexity, encouraging holistic vehicle efficiency. Additional cost-saving measures include using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, reducing part counts through large structural castings, simplifying wiring and electronics, and consolid