Chevy, Ford... going into electric trucks.

Bedlam wrote:
I still feel there would more demand for a plug in hybrid than fully electric vehicle. The rear wheels could be electrically driven while the front uses a transverse FWD ICE power train. Cost of this hybrid system seems to be the biggest hurdle rather than going exclusively with with ICE or BEV.

I reluctantly agree. After 8 years of driving electric cars (home brew conversion, then Chevy Spark EV) we now own a plug in hybrid. For the layperson, it's the best. I can drive it all week long on electric only (short commute), but my wife or kid can jump in and go anywhere at 35mpg without worrying about range anxiety.

It's a great, albeit complicated, solution. Personally it's the complication that turns me off. Left to my own devices, I'd go pure electric. But the gas backup has definite advantages and with two driving teens in the house I no longer have the luxury of having a dedicated commute car. Whatever I drive has to be shared with folks who just want to get in and go without thinking about batteries.

Bedlam wrote:
I still feel there would more demand for a plug in hybrid than fully electric vehicle. The rear wheels could be electrically driven while the front uses a transverse FWD ICE power train. Cost of this hybrid system seems to be the biggest hurdle rather than going exclusively with with ICE or BEV.

According to this report, there's a F150 hybrid coming

I still feel there would more demand for a plug in hybrid than fully electric vehicle. The rear wheels could be electrically driven while the front uses a transverse FWD ICE power train. Cost of this hybrid system seems to be the biggest hurdle rather than going exclusively with with ICE or BEV.

Bionic Man wrote:
Are any electric vehicles currently profitable for the manufacturer?

Simple answer..... NO.

pianotuna wrote:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-gm-rev-electric-pickup-100552081.html

Had to remove some spaces to get the link to work (edited in this quote).

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:


Best part, less stopping for pocket-busting fill ups.

Less expensive, probably. Less stops? Not until they get to the point where range while towing is extended. Towing a box still uses more energy whether it's an ICE engine or electric. I do see electric PUs as being viable to towing a travel trailer. I just think it's going to be another 5+ years before it's practical.

These threads about electric tow vehicles are like a revolving door similar to the payload threads. Once one is done, another takes its place within a few weeks started by the same people even though they are years if not decades away from being the majority of on road tow vehicles.

Marty, can we just make an electric truck sticky thread similar to the diesel versus gas thread so we don't have to go through the same circle jerk over and over again?

Are any electric vehicles currently profitable for the manufacturer?

pianotuna wrote:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-gm-rev-electric-pickup-100552081.html

Thanks @planotuna!